This time it's for real.
For the last few years the rumors have constantly swirled about potential David Beckham retirement announcements and on Thursday it finally happened. The 38-year-old former LA Galaxy star, who played six seasons in MLS, is hanging them up. For good.
WATCH: Every one of Beckham's MLS goals
"I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level," he said. "If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy."
Beckham signed with Manchester United in 1991 and spent 12 years with the Red Devils, winning six EPL championships, two FA Cups and a memorable UEFA Champions League title in 1999.
That was followed up by four years at Spanish giants Real Madrid, which preceded his move to the LA Galaxy, where he won two MLS Cup titles. This year he joined Paris Saint-Germain in France and added the Ligue 1 title to his trophy cabinet.
In fact, Beckham retires as the only English player to win league titles in four different countries.
What's to come for the former England national team captain (115 caps)? MLS fans will be interested in the option that Beckham holds to own an MLS expansion team, with recent rumors linking him to an interest in the Miami market.
"I feel like I'm starting a new adventure and I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead," he said about his future. "I'm fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it's my time to give back."
PSG, who were reportedly ready to bring Beckham back for another season, still have two matches remaining before they close their season: on Saturday, May 18, at home vs. Stade Brestois and on Sunday, May 26, at Lorient.
