Beckham bows out on a high

Beckham’s club football career* 1992-2003: Manchester United (356 apps, 85 goals)* 1994-1995: Preston North End (loan) (five apps, two goals)* 2003-2007: Real Madrid (157 apps, 19 goals)* 2007-2012: Los Angeles Galaxy (118 apps, 20 goals)* 2009-2010: Loan spells at AC Milan (33 apps, two goals)* 2013: Paris St-Germain (13 apps, no goals)MANCHESTER. England’s best known footballer David Beckham announced his retirement on Thursday after a career laden with trophies and glamour that had a worldwide impact that went way beyond football.The 38-year-old former England captain, who this month helped Paris St Germain to the French league title to add to titles won in England, Spain and the United States, will hang up his boots at the end of a successful season.“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” the midfielder, whose final match will be against FC Lorient on May 26, said in a statement.Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France, making a habit of moving on straight after achieving success.He joked that he realised it was time to call it a day “when (Lionel) Messi was running past me” when PSG played Barcelona in the Champions League before saying he had always known he wanted to retire at the top of his game.“It’s simple, you are leaving as a champion,” he told Sky Sports in an interview conducted by his former Manchester United team mate Gary Neville