The football ace thought that the time was right to move away to America - fast becoming a celebrity in the States thanks to his work for LA Galaxy, following a relatively brief but successful stint playing for Real Madrid.

In addition to all of his usual athletic fame, sponsorship deals and general fashion icon status, the nouhgties were somewhat naughty times for Beckham. April 2004 saw the News of the World run a piece in which his former assistant Rebecca Loos alleged that she had an affair with him. Despite no proof ever surfacing, the media were as captivated as the fans.