MLS: David Beckham to purchase an MLS franchise to be based in Miami

             David Beckham has confirmed his intention to set up an MLS franchise in Miami. The development was announced at a Wednesday news conference attended by Beckham, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Beckham, who spent five years with LA Galaxy, will become the first former professional sportsman to take charge of one of the league's teams. The former England captain said: "This is an exciting time for myself, my family, my friends and partners, and something we are really looking forward to bringing to Miami. I wanted to create a team that we could start from scratch and I wanted to create a team that can be very personal. "Everything I have done throughout my career has been very personal to me, the decisions I have made are all very personal. "This is a big one but a very personal one, I want to make it my own team. "Myself and my partners are very excited about this project. Miami is a vibrant city, a city with a lot of passion. "There was a team here 10 years ago, which unfortunately folded. I know this city is ready for soccer this time around, I know this is going to be successful. "I have always said throughout my career, whether there are challenges or not, that to be successful you have to work hard. I have worked hard through my whole career and I am going to work hard for this city and for this League, to make this team very successful. "We are going to make a soccer club that is going to be loved by millions of people. We plan on bringing a team that is not just for Miami but is a global team. "We want to bring some of the best football players in the world, great players, to this team. Players are already interested in coming to Miami. "I've been lucky enough to have played with some of the best players and these players are sending me messages, calling me up, saying 'OK, Miami, great. When is it happening and how can we get there?'" "We don't want public money, we will fund the stadium ourselves," said the 38-year-old. "It is something that we have worked very hard on."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." Beckham represented Manchester United and Real Madrid during his stellar playing career before moving to LA Galaxy in 2007. He enjoyed two loan spells at AC Milan while plying his trade in the US and then spent a short stint at PSG before retiring from the game last summer. Follow on twitter @natezone14 for more updates and like our Facebook page ZephNate