David Beckham is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the Major League Soccer (MLS). The move was announced after the former England captain's talks with his current club ran out of steam.

"This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons," he said in a statement on Thursday. Obviously the man better known for his hairstyle changes than his football these days had other ideas, "After discussing several options with my family and advisers … I decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August of this year."

Beckham had only played in five of Real Madrid's games this season, whereas he had been first choice in the starting line up when he first joined the team after leaving Manchester United in 2003. His career had already taken a knocking when he was dropped from the England squad by the new coach Steven McClaren.

The star seems to relish the prospect of being the big fish in the pond of American soccer. "I am proud of having played for two of the biggest clubs in football, and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about sport as my own."

It is unlikely that the Beckhams simply prefer the idea of a beach house on the Pacific Ocean to the hustle and bustle of the Spanish capital. The deal certainly seems a lucrative one, with Reuters reporting that the player is set to earn a hefty $250 million over the duration of his contract. And the celebrity couple must relish the proximity to the Hollywood glitz and glamour: who knows what opportunities Tinsel Town may now offer not only David but also his former Spice Girl wife, Victoria Beckham.