David Beckham became the new number 32 of AC Milan after being presented at the club's San Siro stadium in front of a crowd of journalists from around the world.
The England international has agreed to a loan deal from the Los Angeles Galaxy until March 9 and, after a brief introduction in broken Italian, he revealed that, only hours after arriving in the city, he had "already fallen in love".
"I love the history behind great teams. I love Italy and am delighted to be here," he said.
Beckham's motivation for joining a club which prides itself on having won more trophies than any other in the world is to keep hold of his place in the England squad.
Any thoughts to the contrary were soon dismissed by the 33-year-old.
"Fashion had nothing to do with my choice in coming to Milan," he explained.
"I think what is great about AC Milan is its history. This is what makes great clubs.
"This was an idea I had and I had to find out if it was possible. Of course, when I decided to go on loan, I did not know if Milan would accept me.
"It was a dream, a wish at first and, when they said 'yes, we'd love you to come', then it became a dream come true.
"It was definitely not because of the fashion, although it is a beautiful place."
With England coach Fabio Capello reiterating his view that only players performing at the highest levels will be even considered for his squad selections, Beckham knew that meant he had to leave LA.
However, simply joining Milan does not give him any guarantees. Beckham must first convince Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti that he has a role to play over the next few months.
Yet he is confident of doing that after making the grade with Manchester United and Real Madrid already.
"Of course it is going to be very tough," he admitted.
"It is tough at any of the biggest clubs in the world to go straight into the team - it just doesn't happen.
"I will work hard in training, get my fitness as I need to and, when I am fit, I hope to get into the team and be able to help.
"I did not take this opportunity if I did not think I could help the team and the club."
And Milan is not just any old club. After playing for United and Madrid, Beckham admitted it was a "huge honor" to join a third global force in football.
"I have been very lucky in my career to play at some of the biggest clubs in the world," he said.
"Manchester United, Real Madrid and now AC Milan - there are no bigger clubs in the world than those.
"I am going to enjoy myself, have some great fun and hope to add something to the team.
"I will give everything like in every game of my career. I have always been a team player in my career and I intend to be that with AC Milan."
Beckham revealed that he had consulted with Capello prior to seeking a temporary move away from Major League Soccer and, although Capello, a former Milan coach himself, had not pointed him explicitly in the direction of the Rossoneri, he did give him some words of advice.
"It was great to have somebody like that to talk to and to get advice from," he said. "All he said to me was that you have to play football at the highest level and I believe I will be doing that.
"With five months off during the (MLS) season, I personally cannot do that.
"I needed to be playing top-flight football to keep myself fit and keep in contention for other things going on so it was important that I was able to take this opportunity.
"What is great about Capello is that if you are playing well, wherever you are in the world, he will give you the chance to play.
"If I am playing, then of course I am in contention for England, but I have got to play, play well and be fit."
Between now and March, Beckham should have enough opportunities to do that.
Milan are chasing both the Serie A title and UEFA Cup, and Milan's vice-president Adriano Galliani welcomed another big name to join the likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko - all former World Footballer of the Year winners - in his star-studded squad.
"Our club is delighted to have another great champion playing for us," he announced.
"He has played for the biggest club in England, the biggest in Spain and he wanted to play for the biggest in Italy.
"We are happy to have satisfied his wish.
"He has won a Champions League, six English championships and then he went to Spain and won the Liga and we hope he can contribute to helping Milan win something this season."
