As widely predicted David Beckham will finalise a move from LA Galaxy to Serie A club AC Milan in the next few weeks. It will be his second loan spell there in a year again coinciding with the Major League Soccer off-season. Speaking after EnglandÂ's recent game against Belarus Beckham told the BBC "It's very close - it's 95% done." "I don't see why it isn't going to happen. I always wanted to go back" said the 34 year-old midfielder.

England had already secured qualification to the World Cup and finished the campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Belarus. Beckham appeared as a substitute, assisting a goal and hitting a post in what most people so was a very encouraging cameo. Coach Fabio Capello obviously considers Beckham a potentially valuable asset to EnglandÂ's squad but will only consider him if he is playing regular football for a European side.

This is BeckhamÂ's reasoning behind the move to Milan with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player desperate to add to his World Cup appearances one last time. This attitude has attracted widespread criticism from some quarters with Galaxy fans turning on Beckham for his perceived lack of loyalty to his wage payers. Team captain Landon Donovan also commented on the issue in a recent autobiography criticising him in the same vein.

If all goes to plan BeckhamÂ's second spell at Milan will be a massive boost to the fortunes of the ailing giants who have had a disastrous start to the season under new manager Leonardo, currently languishing in twelfth place and losing to arch rivals Inter in the process. BeckhamÂ's last stint at the San Siro was hailed as a success and the next few months could be profitable for both club and player.

Dan Stephens