MyBroadband - Soccer

Quote:

Former Man United star shone brightly at top of the game for 20 years
Ex-England captain won 115 caps – a record for an outfield player
Only British player to win titles in four different countries
'Now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level'
Tributes pour in from across the football world
He is now set to focus on ambassadorial duties

David Beckham has retired from football, bringing an end to a glittering career on the field.

Since his debut for Manchester United two decades ago, the 38-year-old has emerged as arguably the most iconic sportsman of his generation, captaining England, collecting 115 caps, and celebrated as a champion in four different countries - the only British footballer in history to do so.

Despite the offer of an extended one-year deal at Paris Saint-German, the 38-year-old has played his last game, bowing out on a high after helping Carlo Ancelotti's side win the French title for the first time in 19 years.

Confirming the blockbuster announcement, Beckham said: 'I'm thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level.'

'If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I'm fortunate to have realized those dreams.'

On the international stage, centurion Beckham holds the England record for making 115 appearances as an outfield player for the national team.

'To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country,' Beckham added.

'I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country.

'I'm honored to represent England both on and off the pitch ... I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from.

'I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.'

The trailblazing midfielder - who played for some of the biggest clubs in the world such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, as well as Los Angeles Galaxy - is now set to continue his ambassadorial duties with a variety of organisations, which include Sky Sports, adidas, Unicef and promoting football in China.

Beckham's last game of football will be on the synthetic pitch at Lorient's 18,110-capacity Stade du Moustoir, with the last home match of his career this Saturday against Brest at Parc des Princes.

He said: 'Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, however I feel like I'm starting a new adventure and I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

'I'm fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it's my time to give back.'

Having relocated from LA in January, Beckham is expected to set up a permanent base in London with his wife Victoria and children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper.

His vast fortune of an estimated £165million comfortably makes him the richest athlete ever in British sport, with a host of lucrative sponsorship deals and salary payments over the last decade amassing his wealth.

Born in Leytonstone, Beckham started out with Ridgeway Rovers before being singled out by Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton at a Soccer School in Barcelona.

At 14, he signed schoolboy terms at Old Trafford and joined the likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt in United's famous youth class of 1992, going on to make his first-team debut against Brighton in the League Cup that same year.