David Beckham, the former England captain and Manchester United midfielder, has bought a stake in National League club Salford City.
It is the latest venture by the 43-year-old, who has a wide portfolio of interests following a career which took in the likes of Real Madrid, the Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris St Germain.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at some of the other aspects which help make up the David Beckham portfolio.
Inter Miami
Great things happen when communities come together. We're ready for the next chapter.#FútbolForAll #InterMiamiCF #MiamiFreedomPark pic.twitter.com/yZumSMZXYB
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 7, 2018
As part of the agreement which saw the Englishman head to Major League Soccer from Real Madrid in 2007, Beckham exercised his option to purchase an expansion team, which eventually was confirmed to be based in Miami. There have been plenty of hurdles to overcome, including delays in getting a deal completed for a new stadium, but Club Internacional de Futbol Miami is all set for kick-off in 2020.
All in a good cause
Away from football, Beckham has continued in his role as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. According to the charity's website, since 2015, the '7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund' has helped transform the lives of millions of children around the world. Projects have included vaccinating 400,000 children against polio in Djibouti to helping 15,000 children access clean drinking water in Burkina Faso, while also helping around 14,500 children to be protected from violence and abuse in Cambodia. Alongside his wife Victoria, Beckham is patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and in 2009 helped tennis player Andy Murray launch the 'Malaria No More UK' charity, where he is currently listed as part of the leadership council. In 2013, the midfielder donated his Paris St Germain salary, reported to be worth £3.4million, to two children's charities in France.
The Beckham Brand
Endorsements and image rights have played a key role in developing Beckham's significant commercial interests, which have transgressed football boots to whisky and luxury fashion labels. TheRichest.com estimates his net worth to be in the region of a cool 450m US Dollars (£350m). From Adidas to Armani underpants, Coty beauty products to Calvin Klein and Gilette, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, H&M, Burger King, Pepsi, Samsung and Vodafone, Breitling and Tudor watches, or closer to home with Haig Club Whisky and British heritage menswear brand Kent & Curwen in London, Beckham has been their face, feet or whatever the advertising executives can think of next. The former footballer also has his own product brands, such as 'Intimately Beckham' fragrances and recently launched, in partnership with L'Oreal, a new line called 'House 99' – the same year he married Victoria, their son Brooklyn was born and, of course, Manchester United won the treble. The Football Association, though, were out of luck when Beckham fronted England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals. After since also flying the flag for the 2026 tournament to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America, maybe 'Becks' could be the face of a British bid in 2030? All done, of course, in the best possible taste.
