Beckham to launch Miami team

The former English soccer great, David Beckham is bringing a new team to Miami

Retired soccer player David Beckham, surrounded by Miami-Dade police officers, fans and reporters, arrives at Kendall Soccer Park to visit and greet South Florida soccer fans and players in Miami, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Earlier, Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. The deal will be finalized when the former English national team captain can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium. (AAP via AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

6 February 2014 1:58pm

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Former England soccer captain David Beckham says he’s buying a US team to play Major League Soccer in the city of Miami.

“I wanted to create a team where we can start from scratch,” Beckham said, explaining his decision to bring the expanding league’s 22nd soccer club to Florida.

“I know there was a team here 10 years ago that unfortunately folded, but I know that Miami is ready for football again.

“We’re planning to bring a team that will be a global team.”

Beckham holds a $US25 million option in his MLS contract to start a new franchise and hopes to build a world class stadium for the club in Florida.

The sites include a 25-acre waterfront lot next to the port of Miami’s cruise ship terminals, potentially putting the new team at the forefront of Miami’s tourism landscape.