Former England skipper, 42, announces he has been granted a licence for a club in the South Florida city to end his four-year wait
DAVID BECKHAM revealed 'many top players' are queuing up to play for his new MLS franchise in Miami.
The former England skipper, 42, has announced his four-year wait is over to be granted a licence for a team in the South Florida city.
Beckham has faced a series of problems in finding a suitable venue and has adjusted the consortium backing his plan.
But the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, whose right to a discounted franchise was part of the deal which brought him to play in MLS in 2007, now has a team that is expected to join the league in 2020.
The as-yet unnamed team is set to play at a 25,000-seat stadium in the city's Overton neighbourhood.
Beckham, who spent six-years with LA Galaxy, said: "I know from the moment we announced we were coming to Miami – and I’m not going to say who – I’ve had many calls from top players saying ‘I’m in’.
"We plan to be in the league by 2020 and hope to have the stadium built by 2021.
"We want to bring in big names and big stars but there are rules and we have such a hotbed of talent in this area.
"I've been part of a tradition where it's all about a youth team system and something built from the ground up.
"Yes, we want to build a team and bring top players from Europe - but we’re more interested in home-grown talent.
"We will build a state-of-the-art academy that I’ve grown up in Europe. When you bring home-grown talent into a team, that’s when a community is built.
"That’s when people become proud to be supporters. That’s when we’ll be proud of our team.
"Our fan support has been relentless and that’s what our club is going to be built on."
At a rowdy press conference, speakers communicated in both English and Spanish as MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed part-owner Beckham had been granted a licence to run an MLS franchise.
Beckham was congratulated in a video featuring his four children, wife and former Spice Girl Victoria, tennis star Serena Williams, eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and other celebs including Will Smith, Jay Z and Jennifer Lopez.
The former Spice Girl, 43, appeared on the official launch video which was streamed during a press conference yesterday.
She said: “We can’t wait to be spending much more time in Miami as a family.”
Beckham added: "When I was awarded the team there was only one city for me and it was here. I was drawn for the same reason as millions, the diversity, culture, weather, beaches and people.
"I will be honest, it was very difficult. There were times when we said 'this dream is not going to happen'. But I don’t give up. Nothing in my career or life has been easy.
"From the moment I was 12 and a coach turned around to me and told me I would never play professional football and for my country because I was too small and skinny.
"Twenty five years on and I made 115 appearances from England and won championships in four different countries. I had a pretty good career.
"I rolled my sleeves up and never gave up – and that’s what I did with this. The one thing that kept me going more than anything is you guys.
"Bringing an MLS club to Miami has been a hell of a journey. I joined the Galaxy in 2007 because I realise the long term potential in this league.
"I moved from Real Madrid to move to a league that wasn’t established yet. It was a big move and one that I knew was going to be a challenge.
"I want to thank Commissioner Garber because he explained the plan and I was in from day one.
We owe the commissioner and the owners a debt of gratitude and I promise the team we bring in will be one of the best teams – the best team."
Beckham part-owns the franchise with Bolivian entrepreneur Marcelo Claure, who he met after the Englishman’s business partner Simon Fuller introduced them following a chance meeting at pop star Jennifer Lopez’s house.
According to reports, the franchise rights will cost Beckham and Claure $25million (£17.81m), which is well below the market rate.
The owners of Los Angeles FC, who join the league in March, are reported to have paid over $100m (£71.25m) for their franchise rights.
It takes the number of teams in the league to 25, with Los Angeles FC and Nashville taking up 23rd and 24th places respectively.
The new MLS side adds to basketball team Miami Heat, NFL's Miami Dolphins and baseball outfit Miami Marlins.
The Beckham group had two different plans for waterside stadium venues both defeated and were unable to secure a deal for a third location close to the Miami Marlins baseball arena.
The latest proposed site is in the Overtown neighbourhood where the group has purchased six acres of land and has an agreement for three more acres after a deal with Miami Dade County authorities.
That plan has also faced local opposition, including a legal challenge from businessman Bruce Matheson.
Earlier on Monday, Beckham told Miami's Local 10 News station: "It has been a process. It's been painful at times.
"I think the fact that it has taken this long, the fact that it's taken four years actually has worked as a positive.
"I've always believed in the project. That's why, for me, I never gave up. I knew Miami was the city. I knew this was going to be special.
"There have been many (hurdles). I'm a persistent person and I don't like to lose."
Leytonstone-born Beckham began his career at United and went on to play for Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris St Germain before moving to the LA in 2007 to play for Galaxy.
