Beckham: 'I'm not retiring'

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has reportedly said he wants to bring David Beckham to the club if the midfielder can prove his fitness.

The 37-year-old former England captain, who was born in east London, announced that he will leave LA Galaxy at the end of the year and the Hammers have been one of the clubs looking at him.

The Sun quotes Allardyce as saying: "Yes, I would like to see a fit David Beckham at West Ham. But he would need to come and do a fitness test like any other player."

David Beckham said he had "exciting options on the table" after he leaves LA Galaxy next month.

The former England captain will end his stint in US Major League Soccer with a match against the Houston Dynamo.

Beckham would not confirm where the offers had come from but ruled out a move to New York or any other team in the US.

He said: "We have a few exciting options on the table and but like I said, we haven't decided yet."

David Beckham has announced he is not going to retire at the end of the season and would like to "take on another challenge".

He said: "Retirement is something I am not thinking about yet. I still feel like I have something left in me. I still feel I'd like to take on another challenge."

Beckham has announced he is to leave LA Galaxy, but wants to stay involved in Major League Soccer.

Beckham says he wants "one last challenge" before ending his playing career. These are some possible destinations:

• Australia: Beckham's spokesman has denied claims that he may head Down Under. But Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart have expressed an interest.
• China: Over one billion people live in China and Beckham's marketing appeal could grown even further if he heads to Asia.

• Stay in the United States: He has a wife and four children to take into consideration. So staying put could make sense. He could consider a cross-coast move to the New York Red Bulls.

• Europe: Paris St Germain could follow up the interest they expressed in December last year. A return to the Barclays Premier League would create a stir in England although it appears unlikely.

Tim Leiweke, the president of LA Galaxy owners AEG, said: "Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport and David not only took our franchise to another level but he took our sport to another level.

“It has been an honour and privilege to be a part of his world, and more importantly, to have him be a part of ours.”

• David Beckham played for LA Galaxy for six seasons.
• The midfielder made 98 appearances in season games, scoring 18 goals and making 40 assists.
• He is a three-time MLS All-Star and was named in a Best XI selection in 2011.

• Since 2009, Beckham has played in all 16 playoff games Galaxy have been involved in - making eight assists.

David Beckham has announced that he will play in his final match for LA Galaxy on December 1 before looking for "one last challenge" in his career.

The former England captain said: "I've had an incredibly special time playing for the LA Galaxy, however, I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career.

"I don't see this as the end of my relationship with the league as my ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future. In my time here I have seen the popularity of the game grow every year.

"I've been fortunate to win trophies, but more important to me has been the fantastic reception I've had from fans in LA and across the States. Soccer's potential has no limits in this wonderful country and I want to always be part of growing it."

Beckham, who has been at the club for six seasons, will play his final match in the MLS Cup.

David Beckham has swiftly denied reports that he is set to play for an Australian A-League team, after the Football Federation Australia claimed today that it had been approached by the LA Galaxy player's agent to discuss a move.

"There is always enormous interest from clubs across world in signing David. He has absolutely no plans to play in Australia," the player's spokesman said.

"David is completely focused on the MLS play-offs and winning another Championship with the Galaxy."

David Beckham is discussing the possibility of playing in the Australian A-League.

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirmed today that it is in the early stages of discussions with the 37-year-old LA Galaxy player, after being approached by his agent.

"The approach from David Beckham’s people is another sign of how much the Hyundai A-League has grown in stature on a global basis,” an FFA spokesman said.

"Beckham is superstar on the world stage and he would be another massive signing for the Hyundai A-League after the arrivals of Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono."