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David Beckham confirms Premier League offers prior to signing new LA Galaxy contract
The 36-year-old signed a two-year deal to stay in America, and admitted his playing career could extend into his 40s after admitting he had the chance to return to England
Jan 20, 2012 8:14:00 AM
By Michael Lightfoot
David Beckham has revealed he rejected the chance to return to the Premier League before signing a new contract with LA Galaxy.
The midfielder admitted he had offers from 'one or two' clubs in England but instead penned a two-year deal with the MLS side.
After being strongly linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham also insisted his family plans to move to France had not even advanced to the stage of finding a house.
"I was offered the chance [to move back to the Premier League]. But I'm happy here, so that was my major decision," Beckham said.
"It was fun watching it [media speculation], honestly. Victoria wasn't in Paris to look at houses."
Beckham, who turns 37 in May, dismissed the thought of retirement instead of signing a new deal with LA Galaxy and is targeting his playing career to extend into his 40s.
He continued: "Retirement was never a part of my plans. It had been talked about by other people but it always is when you get to this stage in your career. I've not even started thinking about that yet.
"I feel 37. I felt a lot younger when I was living the trophy. I was talking to Arsene Wenger the other day at the Arsenal game and he said that it's not what you do after 30, it's what you do before 30 which prolongs your career and keeps you in good shape.
"I'm not looking to retire after those two years. Not at this moment - that might change.
"I'm 36 now, 37 in May, and I still feel good. I want to continue to play as much as possible. We were just talking about Paul Scholes retiring and then he comes back. Players miss it.
"I love seeing Scholes back, it's great to see him back. And it's great to see Thierry [Henry]. He's a good friend of mine, even though he kicked me a few times last year in the playoff game. But he's a good person, a good friend, and to see him score a goal in his first game back was special."
Beckham has been strongly tipped to feature in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Stuart Pearce has been named manager of the Great Britain football side and while the midfielder revealed he's held talks with the England Under-21 boss, any guarantee of the captaincy or even an inclusion in the team have not been promised.
He added: "Hopefully I'll be involved in the Olympics. Obviously I want to be part of the GB team.
"I know how exciting it is for our country and our nation to have the Olympics in the East End of London, especially for me growing up there.
Chance
"As long as I'm fit, healthy and in-form hopefully I have a chance of making the team.
"I've had conversations with Stuart Pearce but as for being captain, or even selected, that's not been decided yet.
"I'd love to be captain. I've been captain a few times for my country before and to lead them into the Olympics would be special for any player."
| Bet: | Returns: | Los Angeles Galaxy £20.25 | Draw £32.50 | San Jose Earthquakes £37.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Los Angeles Galaxy £20.00 | Draw £32.00 | San Jose Earthquakes £35.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Los Angeles Galaxy £21.00 | Draw £32.00 | San Jose Earthquakes £32.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Los Angeles Galaxy £20.00 | Draw £33.00 | San Jose Earthquakes £37.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Los Angeles Galaxy £20.70 | Draw £32.00 | San Jose Earthquakes £33.50 |
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The midfielder admitted he had offers from 'one or two' clubs in England but instead penned a two-year deal with the MLS side.
After being strongly linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham also insisted his family plans to move to France had not even advanced to the stage of finding a house.
"I was offered the chance [to move back to the Premier League]. But I'm happy here, so that was my major decision," Beckham said.
"It was fun watching it [media speculation], honestly. Victoria wasn't in Paris to look at houses."
Beckham, who turns 37 in May, dismissed the thought of retirement instead of signing a new deal with LA Galaxy and is targeting his playing career to extend into his 40s.
He continued: "Retirement was never a part of my plans. It had been talked about by other people but it always is when you get to this stage in your career. I've not even started thinking about that yet.
"I feel 37. I felt a lot younger when I was living the trophy. I was talking to Arsene Wenger the other day at the Arsenal game and he said that it's not what you do after 30, it's what you do before 30 which prolongs your career and keeps you in good shape.
"I'm not looking to retire after those two years. Not at this moment - that might change.
"I'm 36 now, 37 in May, and I still feel good. I want to continue to play as much as possible. We were just talking about Paul Scholes retiring and then he comes back. Players miss it.
"I love seeing Scholes back, it's great to see him back. And it's great to see Thierry [Henry]. He's a good friend of mine, even though he kicked me a few times last year in the playoff game. But he's a good person, a good friend, and to see him score a goal in his first game back was special."
Beckham has been strongly tipped to feature in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Stuart Pearce has been named manager of the Great Britain football side and while the midfielder revealed he's held talks with the England Under-21 boss, any guarantee of the captaincy or even an inclusion in the team have not been promised.
He added: "Hopefully I'll be involved in the Olympics. Obviously I want to be part of the GB team.
"I know how exciting it is for our country and our nation to have the Olympics in the East End of London, especially for me growing up there.
Chance
"As long as I'm fit, healthy and in-form hopefully I have a chance of making the team.
"I've had conversations with Stuart Pearce but as for being captain, or even selected, that's not been decided yet.
"I'd love to be captain. I've been captain a few times for my country before and to lead them into the Olympics would be special for any player."
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