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Beckham targets Chelsea return
05/07/2007 10:49 - (SA)
Los Angeles - David Beckham expects to make his debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 21 in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea after recovering from an ankle injury, according to his manager.
The 32-year-old midfielder twisted his ankle while playing for England against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match a month ago and aggravated it in his final appearance for Real Madrid 11 days later.
Beckham, who is scheduled to fly into Los Angeles on July 12 before his official introduction as a Galaxy player the following day, had an ankle scan at the weekend which revealed no long-term damage.
"With the right rest and rehabilitation, he should be able to start training with the Galaxy as planned on Monday, July 16," Beckham's publicist Simon Oliveira said on Wednesday.
"Although David is being officially presented as a Galaxy player on July 13, he is still on holiday and will have that weekend off before reporting for training on the Monday."
Beckham, who joins Major League Soccer (MLS) side Galaxy from Spanish giants Real Madrid on a five-year deal worth $250m, faces a busy schedule for the rest of this year.
After his debut against Chelsea at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California, he is likely to play for the Galaxy later this month in the Superliga, a new tournament featuring four MLS teams and four Mexican first division clubs.
Beckham's first MLS regular season match is expected to come against Toronto FC in Toronto on August 5.
Apart from his Galaxy commitments, he is back in favour with England coach Steve McClaren and is almost certain to play in England's friendly against Germany at Wembley on August 22 and also in their last five qualifying games for Euro 2008.
Galaxy club president Alexi Lalas has said he has no problem if Beckham misses several Galaxy matches because of international commitments.
"It's not only an honour for him but also an honour for the Galaxy that we can say one of our players is performing so well for a team like England," Lalas said.
"If his form continues and David is called up in the future, I will drive him to the airport myself."
One of the most marketable sports figures in the world, Beckham is expected to make a significant impact with the Galaxy on and off the field while raising the popularity of the professional game in America.
He is the biggest name to move to the US since soccer greats Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff played here in the 1970s and early 1980s.
His arrival in America's entertainment capital marks the biggest sports deal for Los Angeles since ice hockey's Wayne Gretzky came to the NHL Kings in a 1988 trade with the Edmonton Oilers, who also received $15m in cash.
- Reuters
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