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Beckham appointed Chinese football ambassador
March 4, 2013, 2:42 pm

[Getty Images]

Beckham currently plays his football at French side Paris St-Germain [Getty Images]

China has appointed David Beckham as a global football ambassador to promote Chinese football domestically and globally.

The announcement comes as a major boost to Chinese football, ahead of the 2013 Chinese Super League season that starts on Friday.

Beckham praised China’s growing interest in the sport saying: “I’m excited by the prospect of promoting the world’s greatest game to Chinese sports fans as I’ve seen first hand the growing interest in football there.”

“I am honoured to have been asked to play such an important role at this special time in Chinese football history,” he said in a statement released by IMG (International Management Group).

Beckham recently signed for Paris St-Germain, who are currently top of the French first division.

“2013 marks the 20th anniversary of professional football in China and the special ambassadorship of David Beckham will attract global attention to Chinese football and the CSL,” an unnamed Chinese Football Association official said in a statement.

While in China, Beckham is expected to attend the CSL and visit clubs “to get a deeper insight into football in China. He will also help us to inspire and motivate many children to participate in this beautiful game,” said the statement.

An official of the CSL was quoted by the Chinese newspaper People’s Daily as saying: “The endorsement fees of Beckham total about two million Euros, which is paid by the partner company of the International Management Group, so the Chinese Super League does not need to spend any money.”

Source: Agencies