Madrid - Former England captain David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and sign a five-year deal for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy, he told Reuters on Thursday.

The 31-year-old, who joined Real from Manchester United in June 2003, is the most famous player to sign up for Major League Soccer since it began in 1996.

"This week Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract for a further two seasons," Beckham told Reuters.

"After discussing several options with my family and my advisors to either stay here in Madrid or join other major British and European teams I have decided to join LA Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year."

Text of David Beckham's statement announcing his move from Real Madrid to the Los Angeles Galaxy: This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons. After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year.

I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make. I have enjoyed my time in Spain enormously and I am extremely grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great team and their amazing fans.

I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own. For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100 percent to my coach, teammates and fans as I believe Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve.

This isn't about growing the game in the US, its about growing Beckhams already huge bank balance!!

Bollocks, Beck's is the most recognisable face in football in the world at this moment in time. Wherever he goes, ppl will want to see.

By default the MLS is going to receive a mojor injection of funds from international companies wanting viewing rights.

Think about it, 4 years ago the possibility of watching a Primera Liga match on the box was pretty much zip. Now, they have a good couple of matches (albeit delayed) on every weekend.

pity I wasn't a natural born footballer

What?! And you think Beckham is??

Now just imagine how much he'd be earning if he were actually good at football!!

Dude, you are clueless. In his prime Beckham was one of the best in the world. Sure he has lost some of his speed but he is still a better than average player.

Lemme guess you hate Man U or England right

Say what you like, but his recent benchwarming status at Real Madrid speaks volumes!
Becks was and is an attacking player who lacks real pace, is incapable of taking on defenders, who rarely scores goals from the run of play and often struggles when given acres of space!

I'll pick Beckham's replacement, Ronaldo over him anyday of the week!!

Remember, manchester united legend George Best once famously said "He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he's all right!

Say what you like, but his recent benchwarming status at Real Madrid speaks volumes!

Just before he got injured cyfer... Was a cracker of a goal.