MIAMI: David Beckham has outlined his plans for a new Miami-based Major League Soccer franchise.

The former England captain, who retired as a player last May, said a world class stadium would be built to host the club, which would be the 22nd in the MLS.

“I want to make this my own team,” said Beckham, who played for LA Galaxy between 2007 and 2012. He wanted to bring “the best” footballers to play for the club.

Beckham’s option to purchase a franchise is believed to have been part of the financial package he negotiated when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007.

The former midfielder, who also played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris St-Germain, added: “This is an exciting time for myself, my family, my friends and partners, and it is something we are really looking forward to bringing to Miami.

“We’re planning to bring a team that will be a global team. I want to create a team that we can start from scratch and I am going to work hard for this city to make this team very successful. It is an exciting time.”

Beckham, who won the Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1 as a player, added that he intended to recruit “the best” players for the new side, but would not confirm any names.

“We will bring great players in,” he said. “The fortunate thing about my career is players are already interested in coming to Miami.”

Beckham’s representatives held talks with the MLS about the possibility of him buying a franchise shortly before his retirement, while basketball superstar LeBron James said in November that he was in discussion with Beckham about investing in the planned Miami club.

The MLS currently consists of 19 teams, but the league announced in 2013 that two further sidesĀ  would join in 2015.

Those will be Orlando City SC, also in Florida, and New York City, which is part-owned by Manchester City.

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