David Beckham to the NASL?

On November 20th, David Beckham announced that the 2012 MLS Cup would be his final game as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy, leaving room for everyone to speculate where the former Real Madrid Star will land.

Since then, multiple reports have come to light that indicate that the 37-year old midfielder superstar is interested in joining the New York Cosmos as they begin play in 2013 in the North American Soccer League.

This is not the first time Beckham has been linked to the New York Cosmos. In 2010 after the New York Cosmos name was purchased by Paul Kemsley, who was an investment banker and once the director at Tottenham, and Beckham’s personal agent Terry Byrne, Beckham showed interest in joining the team but after Byrne and Kemsley eventually sold the corporation after a great deal of marketing with no actual team to stand behind, interest on Beckham’s side faded.

But, according to a report in the Irish newspaper the Sunday World, a senior Cosmos source has confirmed that discussions are underway with David Beckham and his advisers to bring the multimillionaire soccer star in as part of the ownership group of the team and its core player as the resurrected Cosmos start playing in the NASL this upcoming season.

Beckham’s interest looks genuine. A move to the Cosmos would reunite him with former Manchester United teammate Eric Cantona, who was appointed the New York Cosmos Director of Soccer in January.The report in the Sunday World indicated that a decision is coming soon. The “senior official” told the newspaper that, “David has confirmed his interest and we expect an announcement before Christmas.”

“I’ve had an incredibly special time playing for the LA Galaxy, however, I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career,” said Beckham in a prepared statement.

What’s that “one last challenge” Beckham talked about? Could it be taking a team from the NASL to Major League Soccer?

There is no doubt the Cosmos’ new ownership group are setting themselves up to be a forerunner for the 20th MLS franchise.

They would transition from the NASL into MLS just as the Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal Impact and the Seattle Sounders had done previously. If that is the case, Beckham could be a partial owner and help the Cosmos find favor with MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who has been saying for well over a year that he sees New York as the location of the 20th team in his league and to that end had been working hard to secure a site for the team to build a stadium.

Beckham to the NASL could be a longshot, but so was Beckham coming to Major League Soccer in 2007.

Beckham in the NASL would be very good for the league as they look to thrive and expand while providing compelling soccer for the game’s fans.

After hearing the possibility that he could be playing in the same league as Beckham next season, Strikers’ midfielder Mark Anderson, who is from Durham, England, tweeted his enthusiasm, “Just heard that the New York Cosmos are in the race to sign Beckham. Playing against Becks next season? Please make this happen [Eric] Cantona.”

Beckham hinted in his statement that he would be interested in staying involved in American soccer after his six year stint in California, ”Soccer’s potential has no limits in this wonderful country,” said Beckham.  “I want to always be part of growing it.”