Array

CARSON, California, July 13 (Reuters) David Beckham, ready to start his much trumpeted American adventure, was formally introduced as a Los Angeles Galaxy player at the Major League Soccer (MLS) side's home stadium today.

The England midfielder was paraded in front of an audience of Galaxy season-ticket holders and sponsors' guests at the Home Depot Center before being presented with his new number 23 shirt.

Beckham, who arrived in Los Angeles yesterday night with his pop star wife Victoria and their three sons, told the crowd he was looking forward to one of the biggest challenges of his career.

''To move to a different country on the other side of the world is something I'm looking forward to,'' the 32-year-old Englishman said after being introduced amidst a burst of gold, blue and white confetti.

''I think potentially in the States soccer could be as big as it is everywhere in the world and I'm very proud to be part of that for the next five years, and maybe after that.

''In my career I have played for two of the biggest club sides in the world, Manchester United and Real Madrid, and I've played for 11 years for my country and still am playing for my country.

''I've always looked for challenges in my career and something exciting in my life.'' The former England captain, signed from Real Madrid on a five-year deal worth $1 million a week, spoke to the crowd from a stage set up just outside the penalty area at one end of the stadium.

Beckham was joined by his new head coach Frank Yallop, Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas, MLS commissioner Dan Garber and Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive of AEG, the entertainment conglomerate that owns the Galaxy.

MARKETABLE FIGURES One of the world's most marketable sports figures, Beckham is expected to earn an estimated $250 million with the Galaxy financed heavily by endorsements and has set his sights on taking US soccer to a new level.

Blessed with good looks, a celebrity wife and a talent for self-promotion, the native Londoner proved to be a marketing dream during his four years with Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants overtook his previous team, Manchester United, as the richest club in the world and also cracked the lucrative Asian market thanks to his presence.

During his first six months in Spain, more than one million Beckham shirts were sold.

After he left Spain on a high midway through last month with Real celebrating Primera Liga title success, the club's director of marketing Jose Angel Sanchez said Beckham had been worth in excess of $600 million in marketing revenue.

However, Beckham faces an uphill task on the playing front with his new club who have won only three of their first 12 MLS games this season to languish second bottom in the Western standings.

Rubbing salt into those wounds was Galaxy's failure to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open Cup after losing 1-0 at the lowly Richmond Kickers on Tuesday.

Beckham is scheduled to report for training on Monday before making his first appearance for the Galaxy in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea on July 21.

REUTERS SR RAI2352