British media in Beckham cash frenzy

LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) British media today went cash crazy as they toyed with the figures David Beckham will earn after he moves to LA Galaxy and a new life.

The Daily Express said the 31-year-old former England captain had signed ''the most mind-boggling contract in global sport''.

The Sun quoted Jonathan Woodgate, a former England and Real Madrid team mate of Beckham's, as forecasting the midfielder's move would open up the floodgates for other top players.

The paper said Beckham aimed to tempt former Real team-mates Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo to join him in the US It devoted eight pages to the player's move, including the front which calculated that his estimated 247.6 million dollar five-year deal would work out at 96 dollar a minute.

The Daily Telegragh said the deal would help put Beckham's earning power on a par with the biggest names in American sport.

The Star forecast the former Manchester United man would become bigger than Pele who also played in the US after coming out of retirement in 1975.

The Guardian said Beckham would breathe new life into a league that desperately needs a filip.

Reuters AY DB1107