Paphos People

Beckham 'honoured' to join Milan

David Beckham said he felt 'honoured' upon arriving in Italy on Saturday to take a medical with new club AC Milan.
Milan hope to sign Beckham again next year

Beckham briefly spoke to Milan's official TV channel at the city's Malpensa airport before heading off to the club's training ground to undergo his medical.

He is due to be officially presented at 1900 local time on Saturday and will watch Milan's clash with Udinese on Sunday.

"I'm honoured to be here and to play with for one of the most successful clubs in the world," he said.

"I feel emotional, very emotional, I want to train hard and be a part of the team and to enjoy myself in these months.

"I've played for the biggest club in England, the biggest club in Spain and now I want to play for the biggest club in Italy.

"There are so many great players, it's an incredible club."

Beckham could make his debut as early as January 11 when Milan travel to AS Roma but he will only be available until March 8 when his loan period ends and he will return to Los Angeles Galaxy for the start of the new Major League Soccer season in the US.

Milan's vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed there had been many obstacles to overcome in order to secure Beckham's signature.

"We've overcome problems that were infinitely bigger than when we buy a player," he said of the loan deal.

"We resolved problems with the American League, Galaxy, all Beckham's entourage....it was something incredibly complicated and we even had to get Figc (Italian League) president (Giancarlo) Abete to intervene."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said Beckham would have to earn his place in the team, despite a long-term injury to key central-midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.

"He's a very serious professional and we all welcome him: the club, the fans and the players," said Ancelotti.

"He can play anywhere across the midfield and a lot has been said about his free-kicks but the important things is the way he trains.

"And if he deserves to play, he will play. Is it a strange signing? Well only because it's never been done before but personally I'm very happy that he's here."

Beckham will actually leave Milan on Monday but will come back on December 29 to join his new team-mates on their winter training camp in Dubai.

In the meantime, Milan have an important home match against Udinese on Sunday, a game they must win as they try to reduce the nine-point gap to Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

But Ancelotti is still complaining about the club's injury problems despite Kaka's return to the side as he is still without Alessandro Nesta, Marco Borriello, Mathieu Flamini and is sweating on the fitness of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Emerson.

"We have to win despite the many problems and absences we have," he moaned.

"(Beckham) won't be a distraction, today and tomorrow we won't have anything else in our heads (other than Udinese)."