Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber believes David Beckham's presence will inspire the game in the United States to new levels after the former England captain opted to move to Los Angeles Galaxy.
The 31-year-old will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season to join the California side on a $250million, five-year deal.
The former Manchester United midfielder will remain at Real for the rest of the season before beginning his MLS career in August.
Beckham's future in Spain had been the centre of speculation for some time and he revealed in a statement today that he had chosen to forego a two-year extension to his contract at the Bernabeu and move to LA instead to look for a 'new challenge'.
Now Garber has welcomed Beckham's choice and insisted his presence will serve to invigorate the game in the United States.
Garber said: 'David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America.
'His decision to continue his storied career in Major League Soccer is testament to the fact that America is rapidly becoming a true soccer nation with Major League Soccer at the core.
'In the last few years, MLS has added three new teams, six new owners, four new soccer-specific stadiums and signed four long-term television agreements.
'The addition of David Beckham represents another significant step forward for the MLS and the sport.
'As importantly, David's enormous success as a player and team leader will serve as an inspiration to millions of soccer players and fans in this country and his global popularity will help take MLS and the sport of soccer in this country to an unprecedented level of excitement and popularity here and abroad.'
