Beckham to join AC Milan on loan

David Beckham has agreed to move to AC Milan on loan in January, the Italian club has told BBC Sport.

The England midfielder, 33, plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, whose Major League Soccer season ends this weekend.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "Beckham has chosen Milan. He'll stay here in Milan on loan for a few months.

"Our squad is ultra-competitive and it will remain this way but Beckham is something different and intriguing."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, who needs two more appearances to eclipse Bobby Moore as England's most-capped outfield player with 108, is eager to stay in contention for his country during the MLS close season.

However, England coach Fabio Capello has made it clear he will only select players who are active and in form.

Hence, says BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard, Beckham's move to Italy.

"Now he's involved again in the England set-up at the age of 33 under Capello, he's clearly determined to make the most of it and knows that the MLS close season will do nothing for his fitness or sharpness," stated Legard.

"He's not started a competitive international in 16 months and you wonder how shocked he was when Capello made it clear he wasn't going to be considered for the Spain friendly next February."

Former England midfielder Ray Wilkins, who spent almost three seasons with AC Milan in the mid-1980s, told the BBC News Channel that Beckham had made a smart move by heading for the San Siro.

"He's going to an extremely professional club where he will be able to maintain the correct fitness level that it will take to keep his England place," commented Wilkins, who is now assistant coach at Chelsea.

"l am sure Fabio Capello is actually rubbing his hands together hearing this bit of news. David still has a lot to offer for our national side and going to Milan is a very positive and correct step."

Blackburn manager Paul Ince, who had a spell with Milan's city rivals Inter during his playing career, believes Beckham still has plenty to offer on the pitch.

"His quality with the ball is the best I have ever witnessed. He is an inspirational player, he has been great for English football, he's an ambassador and a really good friend.

"It will be interesting to see how he gets on with the language but he can call me for a few tips."

The 2009 Major League Soccer season is set to start in April, so Beckham's loan move will only be short-term.

In the meantime, he is expected to play for LA Galaxy - who had previously insisted that Beckham would not be able to move to another club on loan during their close season - in a series of exhibition matches in Australia and New Zealand in December.

He will then join Milan's stellar squad, which includes Brazilians Ronaldinho, Kaka and Alexandre Pato, as well as Italian internationals Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso.

Milan are expected to officially confirm the loan move on Friday but coach Carlo Ancelotti has already made it clear he would welcome Beckham's arrival.

"For me, it will be a pleasure. Beckham is a serious athlete, a great professional," he said. "If he'll be available for us, we'll be very happy."

Beckham would be eligible to play for Milan both domestically in Serie A and in the Uefa Cup.

The News of the World, Britain's most popular Sunday tabloid, claims that AC Milan have offered David Beckham an 18-month contract as they continue their bid to sign the England man outright.

The 33-year-old midfielder is currently on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, and he is scheduled to return by March 9 for the start of the MLS (Major League Soccer) season.

However, Beckham has impressed in Italy, quickly establishing himself as a key figure in the Rossoneri engine-room while shrugging off any doubts that he could no longer compete at the elite level.

Milan have made no attempt whatsoever to hide their desire to land the ex-Real Madrid star permanently, an approach that has not gone down too well with LA Galaxy.

Following the close of the MLS transfer window, the Californian outfit announced that Beckham would rejoin the squad next month, as stipulated in the terms of his loan deal.

However, Milan hit back by declaring they would not drop their pursuit of the former Manchester United hero, and now it seems they are closer than ever to reaching their goal.