Beckham set for Milan debut in friendly - Ancelotti

AFP - 5 January 2009 14:40

England´s midfielder David Beckham attends a training session with teammates in Dubai on January 3. Beckham is set to make his much anticipated debut for AC Milan in a friendly against German side Hamburg on Tuesday.

ROME (AFP) - English football icon David Beckham is set to make his much anticipated debut for AC Milan in a friendly against German side Hamburg on Tuesday, club coach Carlo Ancelotti said Monday.

Speaking on Monday from Dubai, where the squad is at a training camp, Ancelotti said: "there has been a lot of curiosity surrounding David Beckham.

"And I can calmly say that he is available and that he can therefore play."

Ancelotti added: "The past few days he (Beckham) has been working hard and I've noticed his commitment to showing that he wants to play for the team."

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States but has joined AC Milan on a short-term loan as he bids to extend his England career.

LA Galaxy resume competition in March.

AC Milan's first official match of 2009 is Sunday's Serie A league encounter against AS Roma.

However Ancelotti has indicated that Beckham, who plays as a creative midfielder, faces stiff competition from the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Beckham admitted he is thrilled to be playing with Milan and added, in an interview with Sky Sports, he is waiting patiently for the nod from Ancelotti.

"When I will play? I am always ready but it's up to the coach to decide. Physically I know I have to work hard to reach 100 percent, I want to play well instead of just play," he said.

He added: "I love my team Los Angeles Galaxy but for me this is a great experience. Not everyone has managed to play in what everyone considers the best club in the world.

"I feel lucky to have this extraordinary chance. I don't like to think about the past, I have made all my choices with care, including the one to go to America.

"I lived a great period there but now I am here, it's extraordinary and now I just want to concentrate on this.

"The training (sessions) these days have been tough but I like working hard. I am learning about Italian football and my team mates are exceptional."