David Beckham has made history by revealing he will be donating the entire salary from his new contract with Paris St Germain to a children’s charity in Paris.

In what is believed to be a world first, the 37-year-old footballer will be donating around £3million to the cause – if reports of his £150,000-a-week salary are correct.

Confirming his new role at a press conference in Paris on Thursday, David explained the philanthropic move, saying: ‘For me it’s always been about playing football, I considered other offers on the table. But one of the reasons I wanted to come to Paris was quite unique.

‘We’ve decided my salary will go towards a local children’s charity in Paris and that’s one of the things we’re very excited and proud to be able to do. I’m not sure it’s been done before but it’s something I’m very passionate about.’

While not confirming the exact sum that would be donated, Beckham did say: ‘I’m pleased that we can give a huge sum to a children’s charity in Paris – it’s very special.’

David also revealed that his wife Victoria and their four children will not be moving to France to accompany him during his five-month contract with the team, because the kids are enrolled in schools in London.

He said: ‘I am excited it’s something that we’ve been talking about for quite a while and now it’s finally happened. My wife and children will be staying in London because the children go to school there now.’

 

Victoria, meanwhile, has spoken of her pride over David’s new role, telling the MailOnline: ‘Myself and the children are incredibly proud and supportive of David and we are excited about spending time as a family in Paris over the coming weeks.

‘We are passionate about supporting children’s charities and donating to a local children’s charity in Paris is something we are delighted to do.’

The dapper sportsman also revealed that he will be needing to brush up on his French before his contract with the team begins.

He laughed: ‘My French? I haven’t spoken French for quite a few years, since I was at school, so I’ll definitely have to brush up on it.’

Asked by a reporter to demonstrate his grasp of the language with a French phrase, David kept it simple by just saying: ‘Bonjour!’

Beckham added of the move: ‘I’m very lucky. I’m 37 years old and I got a lot of offers. I’ve had more offers now than I’ve had in my career at my age so I’m very honoured by that.

‘I chose Paris because I can see what the club are trying to do – I can see the players they’re trying to bring up and the kind of club they will be in 15-20 years time.

‘I’m not saying I’m going to be playing in 15-20 years but to be part of something like this is very exciting. I’m very excited and honoured to be here.’

Asked why he signed for PSG and not another British team, David, who has played for teams including Manchester United, said: ‘I’ve always said I would never want to play for another English club. Manchester United is the team I support and it’s the team I always have supported.

‘I’ve always said I don’t want to play for a team unless it’s Manchester United. I’ve had 13 or 14 championship trophies throughout my career, and I’ve played with some of the biggest and best clubs in the world.

‘I’m 37 and I’m still fit, I can run around and play like I did when I was 21. I haven’t lost pace because I never really had a lot of pace.’

– UK Daily Mail