David Beckham has retired from football, and will try his luck at something called "soccer" with Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS.

"This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons," said the man himself.

"After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year."

Did he really have offers from major British and European clubs? My guess is yes, but not as major as he would have liked (ie Newcastle). So while this officially signals the end of Beckham as a world class footballer, it's a massive coup for MLS.

He'll join the Galaxy in August on a five year deal, apparently worth $250 million. Brilliantly, he's the first player signed to MLS under the so called "Beckham rule", and will (probably very briefly) do wonders for soccer's profile in the US.

There'll be inevitable - and unfair - comparisons to Pele joining the New York Cosmos in the '70s, which may leave some curious Americans disappointed. Beckham is/was a top player but he's nowhere near as exciting to watch as Pele was, lacking the flair and being more about good technique. That said, his long passing might bear parallels to that NFL thingy they all like, so the phrase "Quarterbecks" could make a comeback.

Will be interesting to see how Landon Donovan takes the news. He was Galaxy's (slightly lazy) star man and MLS top earner, but Beckham's status and wage packet will serve as a reminder to exactly where he is career wise.