David Beckham

David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE (born May 2, 1975) is an English footballer from Leytonstone, London. He is a midfielder who currently plays for Real Madrid and captains the English national team. He is especially noted for the quality of his crossing and ability to hit free-kicks and corners, particularly long-range free-kicks.

Childhood and early career

Beckham was born in Leytonstone, east London, the son of Ted, a kitchen fitter, and Sandra, a hairdresser. The Beckhams were fanatical Manchester United supporters, who would regularly travel to Old Trafford by coach and frequently went to away games. David was a strong cross-country runner who regularly finished first in his age group in the Essex cross-country championships, but he had inherited his parents' love of Manchester United and his main passion was football. At the age of 11, he attended one of Bobby Charlton's soccer schools in Manchester and won the chance to take part in a training session at FC Barcelona in a talent competition. He was Manchester United's mascot for a match against West Ham United in 1986. The young Beckham had trials with Leyton Orient and attended Tottenham Hotspur's school of excellence, but once Manchester United offered him a place there was no doubt where he would go.

Related Topics:
Leytonstone - London - Old Trafford - Essex - Bobby Charlton - Manchester - FC Barcelona - West Ham United - 1986 - Leyton Orient - Tottenham Hotspur's

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He signed schoolboy forms at United on his fourteenth birthday in 1989, then signed a (Youth Training Scheme) contract on 8 July 1991. He and was part of an exceptionally talented group of young players at the club, including the future internationals Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville. These players helped the club to win the FA Youth Cup in May 1992, with Beckham scoring in the second leg of the final against Crystal Palace. He made his first appearance for United's first team that year, coming on as a substitute in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion, and signed his first professional contract soon afterwards. United reached the final of the Youth Cup again the following year, with Beckham playing in their defeat by Leeds United, and he won another medal in 1994 when the club's reserve team won their league. He was loaned to Preston North End in the 1994-95 season to get some first team experience, then made his first Premier League appearance for Manchester United on 2 April 1995, in a match against Leeds.

Related Topics:
1989 - Youth Training Scheme - 8 July - 1991 - Paul Scholes - Nicky Butt - Gary Neville - FA Youth Cup - 1992 - Crystal Palace - League Cup - Brighton & Hove Albion - Leeds United - 1994 - Preston North End - Premier League - 2 April - 1995

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