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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 7:19 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2009

Soccer: Beckham spokesman says star is committed to Galaxy

Associated Press

LONDON — David Beckham's agent has dismissed a suggestion by former Los Angeles Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas that the star may quit the MLS team after his loan to AC Milan expires.

Although Beckham is under contract to the Galaxy until 2012, Lalas said he may enjoy Milan so much — playing with stars such as Ronaldinho, Kaka and Paolo Maldini for example — that he could have seconds thoughts about returning to the Galaxy.

"If I was still at the Galaxy, yes, I'd fear it," said Lalas, who was fired by the team after it failed to reach the MLS playoffs.

"He's back in his comfort zone at AC Milan, playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a tremendous amount of talent around him, with incredible money out there on the field," Lalas said. "So it must be, in a weird way for him, a relief to get out there."

Beckham spokesman Simon Oliveira said the England star was committed to returning to the Galaxy.

"Whilst we respect Alexi's right to an opinion, he has not been party to any contractual discussions on the loan agreement to Milan," Oliveira said.

"As David has said recently, he will be back in the U.S. for March 9 and with L.A. Galaxy for the start of the MLS season."

A winner of titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid before moving to the MLS, Beckham made his debut for Milan in an exhibition against German club Hamburg on Tuesday and is expected to get his first Serie A action against AS Roma on Sunday.

"The experience he's going to have at Milan will benefit him individually," Lalas told BBC radio. "How much it benefits the Galaxy and the people that are ultimately paying the majority of his wages remains to be seen."