Beckham set to join AC Milan on loan

AC Milan have surprised football fans all over the world by announcing that they intend to sign David Beckham on loan in January. The 33-year-old, who is still a regular for England under Fabio Capello, is currently playing for Major League Soccer side, Los Angeles Galaxy.

However, the MLS season is due to end this weekend and the midfielder has previously spoken about his desire to be regularly involved in competitive action. He is desperate to keep playing at a high level, so that Capello will still consider him seriously for the national team.

After being appointed coach of the national team, Capello made it very clear that he would only ever select players who are not only showing good form at club level but playing regular competitive football as well.

Beckham, who has previously excelled at both Manchester United and Real Madrid, needs only two more caps to become England’s most-capped outfield player. Bobby Moore holds the current record but it is one that the midfielder is intent on taking.

The vice-president of AC Milan, Adriano Galliani, revealed on Wednesday morning that the England star will stay on loan at the club for several months at the beginning of next year. The next MLS season will start in April, so the loan will only be short-term. Prior to moving to Italy, Beckham will play for LA Galaxy in exhibition matches in Australia and New Zealand.

Adriano Galliani also stated that Beckham is not the only one to be getting something out of the deal. He believes that the player is “something different and intriguing” but was also quick to point out that the “ultra-competitive” nature of the Italian squad will prove beneficial to Beckham’s ambition of staying involved with England.

The coach of AC Milan, Carlo Ancelotti, has also spoken of his delight and “pleasure” at the move. Like Galliani, he was keen to point out the positive aspects of the loan for the club, who are set to benefit from Beckham’s athleticism and professionalism.

The loan is expected to be officially confirmed on Friday but, if it does go through as expected, the midfielder will be able to play in both Serie A and the Uefa Cup.

David Beckham will not be the first English player to join the club. Ray Wilkins, the former Chelsea player and current assistant coach, played in England’s midfield during his career. He spent nearly three seasons with AC Milan in the mid-1980s and has been quick to applaud Beckham’s decision to join the Italian giants.

Wilkins believes that the midfielder will be able to “maintain the correct fitness level” necessary to win a place in the England team. Furthermore, he thinks that the professional nature of the Italian club, which contains world-class players including Ronaldinho and Kaka, will help to keep Beckham at his technical best.

The current Blackburn manager, Paul Ince, has echoed the words of Wilkins. Ince, who also played for the national side, enjoyed a spell with Inter Milan during his career.

He believes that Beckham’s quality is still undeniable despite his age and previous controversial decision to move to MLS. Ince was also keen to remind the public about the importance of the player’s “inspirational” leadership skills.