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David Beckham Buys MLS Franchise In Miami

Miami Spice? Beckham Buys MLS Franchise In Florida
The Huffington Post UK
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Beckham faces the press in Miami on Tuesday

David Beckham finally confirmed he has taken up the option to buy a new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.

The former England midfielder appeared at an afternoon news conference in Florida to make the announcement.

Beckham said: "This is an exciting time for myself, my family, my friends and partners, and it is something we are really looking forward to bringing to Miami."

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Beckham speaks at the Miami MLS franchise's launch on Wednesday

He added: "We are going to make a soccer club that is going to be loved my millions of people - we plan on bringing a team that is not just for Miami but is a global team."

Beckham's group is now in talks with Miami local government officials about building a stadium for the new club, but he insisted no public money would be needed.

He said: "We don't want public money, we will fund the stadium ourselves, it is something that we have worked very hard on.

"Nothing successful in life is easy, there are going to be bumps along the way and you have to go through certain tough times to come out at the end being successful.

Beckham in Miami
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Former England and Manchester United star, David Beckham conducts a press conference at the Perez Art Museum Miami, in Miami, Florida on February 5, 2014. Beckham said Wednesday that he will buy a US team to play Major League Soccer and bring it to Miami, confirming the worst-kept secret in world football. Beckham spoke to reporters alongside MLS commissioner Don Garber(L), who said Beckham and the league would work with Miami Dade county to build a world-class downtown stadium for the new club. AFP PHOTO / Alexia FODERE (Photo credit should read Alexia Fodere/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England and Manchester United star, David Beckham(L) conducts a press conference with Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos A. Gimenez at the Perez Art Museum Miami, in Miami, Florida on February 5, 2014. Beckham said Wednesday that he will buy a US team to play Major League Soccer and bring it to Miami, confirming the worst-kept secret in world football. AFP PHOTO / Alexia FODERE (Photo credit should read Alexia Fodere/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-USA-MLS-ENG-BECKHAM-MIAMI(03 of16)
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Former England and Manchester United star, David Beckham conducts a press conference at the Perez Art Museum Miami, in Miami, Florida on February 5, 2014. Beckham said Wednesday that he will buy a US team to play Major League Soccer and bring it to Miami, confirming the worst-kept secret in world football. Beckham spoke to reporters alongside MLS commissioner Don Garber(L), who said Beckham and the league would work with Miami Dade county to build a world-class downtown stadium for the new club. AFP PHOTO / Alexia FODERE (Photo credit should read Alexia Fodere/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(04 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: David Beckham attends a press conference to announce plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former England and Manchester United star, David Beckham(C) arrives for a press conference at the Perez Art Museum Miami, in Miami, Florida on February 5, 2014. Beckham said Wednesday that he will buy a US team to play Major League Soccer and bring it to Miami, confirming the worst-kept secret in world football. Beckham spoke to reporters alongside MLS commissioner Don Garber(L), who said Beckham and the league would work with Miami Dade county to build a world-class downtown stadium for the new club. AFP PHOTO / Alexia FODERE (Photo credit should read Alexia Fodere/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(06 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Commissioner Don Garber, David Beckham and Mayor Carlos Gimenez attend a press conference to announce their plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(07 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: David Beckham attends a press conference to announce plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-USA-MLS-ENG-BECKHAM-MIAMI(08 of16)
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Former England and Manchester United star, David Beckham(C) arrives for a press conference at the Perez Art Museum Miami, in Miami, Florida on February 5, 2014. Beckham said Wednesday that he will buy a US team to play Major League Soccer and bring it to Miami, confirming the worst-kept secret in world football. Beckham spoke to reporters alongside MLS commissioner Don Garber(L), who said Beckham and the league would work with Miami Dade county to build a world-class downtown stadium for the new club. AFP PHOTO / Alexia FODERE (Photo credit should read Alexia Fodere/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-USA-MLS-ENG-BECKHAM-MIAMI(09 of16)
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Former England and Manchester United star, David Beckham(L) conducts a press conference with Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos A. Gimenez at the Perez Art Museum Miami, in Miami, Florida on February 5, 2014. Beckham said Wednesday that he will buy a US team to play Major League Soccer and bring it to Miami, confirming the worst-kept secret in world football. AFP PHOTO / Alexia FODERE (Photo credit should read Alexia Fodere/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(10 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Commissioner Don Garber, David Beckham and Mayor Carlos Gimenez attend a press conference to announce their plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(11 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Commissioner Don Garber, David Beckham and Mayor Carlos Gimenez attend a press conference to announce their plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(12 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Commissioner Don Garber, David Beckham and Mayor Carlos Gimenez attend a press conference to announce their plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(13 of16)
Open Image Modal
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: David Beckham attends a press conference to announce plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(14 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: David Beckham attends a press conference to announce plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(15 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Commissioner Don Garber, David Beckham and Mayor Carlos Gimenez attend a press conference to announce their plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham, Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Carlos Gimenez Press Conference(16 of16)
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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 05: David Beckham attends a press conference to announce plans to launch a new Major League Soccer franchise at PAMM Art Museum on February 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

"We are going to have the right investors, and I'm not just talking about wealth but people who have a passion for the game as well."

As well as making Miami a force to be reckoned with, the former England captain wants to develop players to help the United States win the World Cup, he told reporters.

Recently, another Florida team, Orlando City, were named as the MLS' 21st franchise.

More to follow...

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