Football: Decision next month on Beckham's plans to roll out MLS club in Miami

Retired football player David Beckham could have a Major League Soccer expansion team in Miami within 30 days. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS
Retired football player David Beckham could have a Major League Soccer expansion team in Miami within 30 days. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

MIAMI (AFP) - David Beckham could have a Major League Soccer expansion team in Miami within 30 days.

MLS commissioner Don Garber said an announcement is expected in the next month regarding Beckham's bid for a Miami club, which would be the 22nd team in the North American league.

That is the most encouraging sign in the ongoing story of the retired English star midfielder's bid to obtain a team in Miami, which has been stalled as talks for the building of a new stadium have continued with city officials.

"I was down there this past weekend and I have been down there a lot, working with potential ownership and trying to finalise a stadium plan," Garber said in Philadelphia on Thursday at the MLS draft.

"Right now, we have got a lot of work to do and we will announce something in early February."

Beckham was given the opportunity to purchase an expansion team at a discount, as part of a 2007 deal that lured him to play for the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy.

He has been focused on the Miami market along with several backers, including Bolivian billionaire Marcelo Claure and British businessman Simon Fuller.

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