He surprised many by maintaining his ambition to play for England by maneuvering a Loan deal to Milan. He also sprang a further surprise by playing considerably well for the Rossoneri.

Now the cherry on the cake has well and truly arrived.

AC Milan have announced a Loan agreement with LA Galaxy that could be the most Complicated in footballing history. The only one to run it close was the ‘one season at Real, one season at Barca’ deal with Los Blancos legend Alfredo di Stéfano, although that was eventually overlooked by Barca.

This new deal will see ex-England captain playing at the San Siro until the end of the 2008/2009 season. He will then jet back to LA to play out the remaining 13 or so games of the MLS season. Once July arrives, Goldenballs then goes back to Milan for the start of the 2009/2010 season. The loan deal comes to an end in November 2010, when Beckham arrives at the mysterious buyuot point of his Galaxy contract. Furthermore, Beckham has agreed a salary cut to engineer the move.

The initial impression is that it is good for both clubs and the play. Milan do not have to spend £12m on a 32-year-old. Beckham gets to play high-quality football and keep in Capello’s mind. LA Galaxy do not lose face by being muscled out by a European giant, while also being able to sell his shirts as he is still ‘their player’. However, one cannot help but think that once this deal reaches November 2010, the Galaxy may see the back of Beckham for the last time.