Rome, October 31:

England international David Beckham will join AC Milan on loan in January, the club said. The former England captain will join the team from January 7.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliano had revealed earlier in the day that he was due for talks with Beckham’s lawyers and now a deal has been agreed. “Beckham has become a reality, it’s no longer a dream,” Galliani announced triumphantly.

Beckham is due to be unveiled officially on December 21 and eight days later will head out with the team to Dubai for a training camp. He could then make his Serie A debut against AS Roma on January 11. The midfielder currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, whom he joined 18 months ago, but needs to keep playing over winter to avoid losing match fitness and his place in England squad.

England manager Fabio Capello has previously made it clear that if Beckham is not playing he won’t be part of the England set-up. Beckham, with 107 caps, is the third most capped player in England’s history.

This move means the golden boy of British football will have played for arguably the biggest club in the three biggest leagues in the world: England, Spain and Italy.