English captain David Beckham was formally introduced Wednesday as a Real Madrid player, adding the world's most marketable soccer star to an already glittering lineup.

With TV cameras beaming the ceremony live around the world, team president Florentino Perez unveiled his fourth multi-million dollar man 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 photogenic midfielder, 28, received a white Real Madrid jersey ¡ª bearing his name and the number 23 ¡ª from honorary president Alfredodi Stefano, an illustrious Real Madrid hero from the 1950s.

Beckham later donned a white Real kit and kicked a ball around a bit on a practice field. Hundreds of fans cheered as they sat under a hot sun.

Showing off his skill, Beckham kicked a beautifully flied ball over a fence and into the crowd. Fans chanted "guapo, guapo" meaning handsome, and the star's name.

At another point a shirtless boy ran up to Beckham and greeted him. Beckham was quickly supplied with a No. 23 jersey and put it on the youth. Journalists scrambled to interview the boy.

The actual unveiling ceremony unfolded on a stage featuring a giant closeup photo of Beckham's face.

Beckham arrived Tuesday with his wife Victoria and their eldest son, 4-year-old Brooklyn, amid a frenzy of media coverage, bodyguards and police protection. One Spanish newspaper said some visiting heads of state did not get such lavish VIP treatment.

After passing a medical exam, Beckham signed a four-year contract at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, completing his transfer. He made it official with a pen his wife bought to mark the occasion.

Beckham and his family were to return to Britain Wednesday evening.
 

Editor: Wings