David Beckham, the most famous football player on the planet, will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and join side Los Angeles Galaxy on a $250 million five-year deal.

"This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons," Beckham, 31, said in a statement released to PA Sport.

"After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year," the statement said.

David Beckham, the former England captain, will leave Real in June 2007 and begin his new career in Major League Soccer in August.

"I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make," he said in a statament.