Beckham signs loan deal with Milan

By Mark Meadows

MILAN (Reuters) - David Beckham will rejoin AC Milan on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in January, the two clubs announced on Monday, boosting his hopes of a England World Cup squad place.

The 34-year-old midfielder will stay in Italy from January to June before returning to Galaxy and Major League Soccer.

Beckham, who made the same move last season, wanted to repeat the loan after England coach Fabio Capello said he needed to be playing in Europe to remain a contender for the squad for the World Cup starting in South Africa on June 11.

"I need to give myself the best chance possible to make the World Cup squad and playing for Milan on loan will help me to do that," Beckham said in a statement.

"I genuinely enjoyed my time at Milan and I look forward to meeting the players and staff again. I'm committed to LA Galaxy and MLS in the long term and remain as passionate as ever about growing the game of soccer in America."

The former England captain has mainly been used as a substitute by Capello, who was not prepared to consider the country's most capped outfield player if he was out of action during MLS's long close season from November to March.

His second loan, the financial details of which have not been released, has been in the pipeline for months despite reports some English Premier League clubs were interested.

"We are very happy to re-see David Beckham in the red and black shirt after the splendid experience of last season," Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said in the statement.