The following are highlights of David Beckham's soccer career.
1975: Born May 2 in Leytonstone, east London.1991: Joins Manchester United as a trainee.1992: Makes debut for United against Brighton in League Cup. Wins FA Youth Cup.
1993: Signs professional contract at Old Trafford.
1995: Joins Preston on loan and scores two goals in five games.
1996: Helps Manchester United win the Premier League-FA Cup double. Scores the goal of the season on the opening day at Wimbledon, lobbing goalkeeper Neil Sullivan from the halfway line. Makes England debut in 3-0 qualifying win in Moldova.
1997: Collects another championship winners' medal and voted Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year.
1998: Scores first England goal, a free kick against Colombia in Lens in the World Cup. Sent off in second-round penalty shootout defeat against Argentina for kicking Diego Simeone. Vilified by media and fans for the red card, which many believe cost England a place in quarterfinals.
1999: Responds to World Cup disgrace with strong performances for United, which wins the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions Cup. Voted runner-up in World Player of the Year awards behind Brazilian Rivaldo. Marries Spice Girl singer Victoria Adams three months after birth of son Brooklyn.
2000: Sent off in United's opening World Club Championship match against Mexican side Necaxa for high challenge on Jose Milian. Left out of United's team for the Premier League match against Leeds following reports of training ground argument with manager Alex Ferguson. Collects fourth championship medal as United win the league title by a record 18 points. Aims one-finger gesture at abusive England fans following defeat in the opening game of Euro 2000 championships against Portugal. England eliminated in group stages of the tournament. Named England captain for first time in November friendly with Italy by interim coach Peter Taylor.
2001: New England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson appoints Beckham captain for his first match in charge, a friendly against Spain. Collects another league title with Manchester United. Captains England to 5-1 World Cup qualifying win in Germany. Curls in a 25-yard (meter) last-minute free kick against Greece at Old Trafford to earn England a 2-2 draw, ensuring a place in the World Cup. Beckham named runner-up behind Luis Figo in World Footballer of Year award.
2002: Victoria Beckham gives birth to second son, Romeo. Beckham breaks bone in left foot in two-footed tackle by Deportivo's Pedro Duscher in second leg of Champions League quarterfinals. Signs new three-year contract with United reported to be worth between 90,000 and 100,000 pounds ($148,000 to $164,000) a week. Scores on a penalty kick against Argentina to seal a 1-0 World Cup win. England loses in quarterfinals to eventual winners Brazil. Scores against Slovakia and Macedonia as England start Euro 2004 qualifying campaign with a win and a draw.
2003: Ferguson accidentally kicks a boot in Beckham's face following a loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup. Beckham left with a cut over his left eye. Beckham left out of starting lineup for United's crucial Champions League quarterfinal second-leg game with Real Madrid at Old Trafford. Beckham scores twice as a substitute but the Red Devils lose 6-5 on aggregate. Beckham suffers a fractured bone in right wrist in a 2-1 friendly victory over South Africa. Manchester United admit Italian and Spanish clubs have expressed a "firm interest'' in signing Beckham. United accept transfer bid from Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta. Beckham's agents say he's being used as ``political pawn'' and won't speak with Laporta. Laporta wins election and says he'll try to convince Beckham to join Barcelona. On June 17, Manchester and Real Madrid announce that Beckham will join the Spanish club in a four-year deal worth 35 million Euros ($41.35 million).
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