David Beckham is heading into the United States' National Soccer Hall of Fame. The former Manchester United and England midfielder, 51, will be part of the 2027 class, BBC Sport reported. He was chosen on the veterans' ballot.
Beckham got the news on Thursday at a meeting of the MLS board of governors. He called his time in the US "an incredible journey". He also said that he wants to build the league and the sport in the country for a long time.
His US story began in 2007. That year he left Spanish giants Real Madrid for Major League Soccer (MLS) side LA Galaxy on a five-year contract. The move made headlines around the world.
Beckham spent six seasons at Galaxy. He made 124 appearances in all competitions and scored 20 goals. He won both the MLS Cup and the Supporters' Shield twice. While at Galaxy, he also had two loan spells at AC Milan, in 2009 and 2010.
According to BBC Sport, his years in Los Angeles helped raise the global profile of MLS. After retiring in 2013, he became co-owner of MLS club Inter Miami. The club signed Argentina World Cup winner Lionel Messi in 2023.
Two former US internationals join him in the class. Megan Rapinoe, 41, and Julie Ertz, 34, were voted in during their first year of eligibility. Both won the Women's World Cup with the US in 2015 and 2019. Rapinoe is also a Ballon d'Or winner. On Instagram, she wrote that being recognised alongside the greatest players and her team-mates showed she had been part of great teams.
The induction ceremony is set for April 16, 2027, in Frisco, Texas.