David Beckham and Victoria are off to Milan - for soccer and shopping

David Beckham (pictured with his wife Victoria) , the England football player come clothes-horse, has been placed on a free loan from his American club, Los Angeles Galaxy, to the Italian club A C Milan. Although the announcement comes as the US Major League Soccer season closes this weekend, it is felt the arrangement, which will last three months, could mark the end of what has been a highly disappointing experience at L A Galaxy, who even with Becks on their side scored the lowest amounts of points in their history this season.

As reported here, Beckham's first season in the States was close to disastrous, as a persistent injury stopped him from playing in more than a handful of games. This season he has at least managed to get fit, not that it seemed to make much difference to the club's overall fortunes.

A C Milan's vice-president, Adriano Gallianis, appears to be happy if cautious about the midfielder's return to Europe. He said that while he was delighted Becks had chosen his club, he couldn't guarantee him a regular place: "Our squad is ultra-competitive and it will remain this way, but Beckham is something different and intriguing." Oh well. At least his new billet in the fashion capital of Italy should please his wife, Victoria, not just a shopaholic but a budding designer herself. ·