World watches as English star switches allegiance

MADRID, Spain -- England captain David Beckham finally pulled on the famous white jersey of Real Madrid at his long-awaited introduction Wednesday as millions of adoring fans watched worldwide.

With TV cameras broadcasting the ceremony live, team president Florentino Perez unveiled his fourth multi-million dollar acquisition in as many years and hailed Beckham as one of the best English soccer players of all time.

"David, welcome to the league of dreams," Perez told the former Manchester United star.

The 28-year-old Beckham opened a brief speech by thanking team officials in Spanish -- "gracias", he said with a smile, then added: "Football is everything to me and joining Real Madrid is a dream come true."

He closed with a time-honored team cheer, "Hala Madrid!"

Beckham wore a powder blue suit, open white shirt and a pair of earrings. His wife Victoria, the former Posh in the Spice Girls pop group, sat in the front row.

More than 500 journalists from 25 countries were on hand to cover the event at Real Madrid's basketball arena, the Raimundo Saporta Pavilion.

The photogenic midfielder received a white Real Madrid jersey -- bearing his name -- from honorary president Alfredo di Stefano, a Real Madrid star from the 1950s.