LA Galaxy Re-sign Simon Fuller-Managed David Beckham

LONDON, January 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

All-Star Midfielder Returns to MLS Cup Champions with Two-Year Deal

The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has re-signed midfielder David Beckham to a two-year contract, extending his stay with the MLS Cup Champions. Beckham, who is managed by Simon Fuller at XIX Entertainment, had the best season of his five-year MLS career in 2011 and helped lead the Galaxy to their first MLS Cup title since 2005. Since joining the club as the first Designated Player in MLS History, the Galaxy have reached MLS Cup twice and won the Supporters' Shield twice while also seeing the club reach new heights in terms of international recognition and popularity.

"This was an important decision for me," Galaxy midfielder David Beckham said. "I had many offers from clubs from around the world, however, I'm still passionate about playing in America and winning trophies with the Galaxy."

He added, "I've seen firsthand how popular soccer is now in the States and I'm as committed as ever to growing the game here, my family and I are incredibly happy and settled in America and we look forward to spending many more years here."

In 74 career regular season games in a Galaxy uniform, Beckham has 31 assists to go along with 11 goals with the club going 15-2-4 in the past three seasons when he scored a goal or recorded an assist. Additionally, the 36-year-old has helped lead the Galaxy to the postseason in each of the last three seasons, tallying seven assists in 11 postseason games. The Galaxy also qualified for the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in club history last season, with Beckham playing in four of the club's six games while setting up a pair of goals in the competition.

Beckham's deal was negotiated by Simon Fuller, the creator of reality TV hit "American Idol," who is the player's business partner and manager.

"When David and I discussed making the move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy back in 2007, our minds were firmly focused on the massive opportunity of helping to grow soccer in the United States," Fuller said. "We have made great progress over the past five years in raising the profile of soccer domestically and the MLS on a worldwide stage, and we are encouraged by all the results.

"However, clearly this is an ongoing mission and this new deal confirms our commitment to continuing our journey and making sure the world's biggest sport, soccer, continues to grow in the world's most passionate sports loving nation, the USA."

In addition to Beckham's on-field success, the former England captain has also had an historic impact on the game in the U.S. and globally. His mid-season arrival in Southern California coincided with the launch of the club's new logo and colors, strengthening the Galaxy's reputation in the global game.

About Simon Fuller

Simon Fuller - best known as the mastermind behind the "Pop Idol" and "American Idol" franchises, as well as the Spice Girls - is the chief of XIX Entertainment, which he founded in January 2010. Apart from Beckham, the new firm manages the business interests of Victoria Beckham, designer Roland Mouret, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, tennis star Andy Murray and singers Annie Lennox and Carrie Underwood, among others. 

SOURCE XIX Entertainment