West Ham still interested in offering role to David Beckham

Posted Friday, August 13, 2010 by theguardian.com

• David Gold admits a loan signing for Beckham is unlikely
• West Ham hope to use Beckham in ambassadorial role

West Ham still interested in offering role to David Beckham
West Ham have issued an open invitation to David Beckham to join them.

West Ham United have reiterated their desire to sign David Beckham in the wake of Fabio Capello's admission that he feels the 35-year-old is too old to play for England duty in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

The West Ham co-chairman David Gold first approached Beckham's representatives at the end of last season about taking the him on loan. While Gold admitted a playing move is now highly unlikely, West Ham want to use Beckham as ambassador to help them secure a move into the new London Olympic Stadium.

"We showed interest at the end of the season and asked would he come and join us, maybe just for half a season on loan," Gold told BBC Sport. "Sadly, his commitments are such that this is probably not going to happen now. The January transfer window doesn't look possible, but we still have an open invitation to David to join us.

"Our belief is that he is still a great player and it would be a fantastic statement if he came to West Ham. He's an East End boy and it would be a fitting end to his career. We also had in mind his value as an ambassador to help us with securing the Olympic Stadium. He was an ambassador for the 2012 bid and is doing the same for the 2018 World Cup.

"I see the value in David Beckham after his playing career is over. If he wasn't an east London boy, I wouldn't have the same enthusiasm."