The speculation of where David Beckham would end up after leaving Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy in May covered the back pages of all the international newspapers.
Some had him going to China, Turkey, Italy or back to England-none were right, and now the guessing game is over as the 37-year-old Beckham has agreed to a deal with French "super club" Paris Saint Germain (PSG).
For the fashion-savvy Beckham and wife Victoria (formerly of the Spice Girls), what is better than being in the, what many consider, the most fashionable destination in the world?
For them, it is the best of both worlds, Beckham gets to continue his career at a top-level, European club, which under the management of Qatar Investment Authority have been spending money left and right on big-named star, while his wife can stay focused on her fashion line.
Though not yet confirmed by PSG, a person close to the negotiation, under the condition of anonymity, said "the former England captain has reached a five-month deal with Paris Saint-Germain and will be officially presented at the French club later Thursday," according to Sports Illustrated.
PSG later confirmed that "a new player would be revealed on Thursday," according to Sports Illustrated.
His move from the "City of Angles" to the "City of Lights" will be "beneficial to both parties," said sports business expert Simon Chadwick to CNN.
"It's simply a very nice piece of short-term brand alignment," Chadwick told CNN.
If PSG is looking for publicity, they certainly got it with this move, but, for the return on the investment, Chadwick doesn't see that happening, at least not right away.
"We don't know how he'll be used for commercial purposes. We don't know how the French public will respond. We don't know how international fans will engage with and consume the PSG/Beckham brand. We may see a spike in activity such as increases in ticket sales, but I am not entirely convinced that there'll be a significant sustainable stream of revenues," according to CNN.
Off the field stuff is great, but if he doesn't perform on the field, the PSG fan base will not embrace him and that is something PSG and Beckham have to keep in mind.
"He's been away from Europe for too long -- he's now really in his twilight years, we don't know what part he'll play in the team, [but] they [PSG] are not signing him for his ability to sprint-it's his technique and vision. He has that ability to elevate his game depending on the opposition. He can play a part for PSG in both Ligue 1 and Champions League."" said Chadwick, according to CNN.
PSG or "Les Parisiens" are seeking to win the French title for the first time since 1994, having been runner-up last season and with the way Beckham can bend the ball and his history of delivering titles before, winning league titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy previously, PSG might have the title all wrapped up before the season even starts?
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
