David Beckham insisted on Friday he had not arrived in Los Angeles to wind down his footballing career.
Beckham was speaking after receiving a rapturous welcome on his first day as a Los Angeles Galaxy player as he was officially presented to fans at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
He also met his new team-mates for the first time before doing a series of media interviews from journalists around the world who had assembled at the stadium for the ceremony.
Responding to suggestions that have been made ever since he announced his move to Major League Soccer from Real Madrid in January that he would be moving into semi-retirement and would be more interested in a Hollywood career, Beckham said: ‘It's always been about the football, always has been in my career, when I moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid and then now.
‘It's always been about the football.
‘I may be 32 years of age but I'm as fit as I was when I was 22 and I'm as eager as I was when I was 14.
‘I'm ready for it and I've never listened to negativity.’
The England star, who arrived in the city by plane from London a little more than 12 hours earlier, walked out on to the pitch to loud music and a song called 'Hello America' as well as a huge ovation from a noisy crowd of around 5,000 season ticket holders and invited guests.
Wearing a light grey suit and silver tie he was flanked by Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas and his new head coach, Frank Yallop, as well as Major League Soccer commissioner Dan Garber, Tim Leiweke, the chief executive and president of the Galaxy's owners AEG, and the mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa.
Victoria Beckham had made an earlier entrance, dressed in a pink suit and she received applause as she posed for photographers who were waiting for her husband to enter the arena.
And as she took her seat in the VIP section of seats on the pitch in front of a specially erected stage, Beckham made his bow.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star first sat through a series of short speeches from Lalas, Yallop and other dignitaries.
There were some problems with the public address system as fans complained they could not hear the speeches but the fault was fixed in time for Beckham to be officially presented with his new, white Galaxy jersey, adorned with his name on the back and the number 23.
He rose to receive the shirt from Lalas as an explosion of ticker tape burst out of two cannon-like chutes on either side of the stage and the music cranked up a notch to the delight of the fans.
Beckham looked calm and relaxed as began to address the crowd, thanking them for their attendance and describing his move to the Galaxy as a ‘dream come true’.
Beckham told fans: ‘It's nice to see so many fans here and I thank you for that.
‘I've played for two of the biggest club sides in the world, Manchester United and Real Madrid and I've played 11 years for my country. I've always relished a challenge.
‘My family have now moved to Los Angeles and in our life everything is perfect. The most important thing in my life is my family and the second thing is my soccer.
‘This is something I'm looking forward to and I think the potential here is that soccer can be bigger here than anywhere else around the world.
‘I'm looking forward to starting training and the first game and the support you've shown me.
‘I want to thank everyone that's made this happen, it's a dream come true.’
Lalas had earlier taken time during his remarks to praise the players already at the club, perhaps in a bid to ease suggestions there will be tension in the Galaxy dressing room when Beckham, on his multi-million dollar, five-year contract, arrives.
He also paid tribute to the Galaxy's owners for bringing Beckham to Los Angeles.
He said: ‘Without Tim Leiweke, his vision and dedication this deal would not have happened.’
