David Beckham: I'm Not Moving to La Galaxy for the Money

David Beckham, who yesterday signed a £128m deal to move to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy, has again insisted that he's not doing it for the money, but to be a "part of history".

"Of course it's a huge amount of money ... it's an amazing amount of money," Beckham told ABC News' Good Morning America. "I said yesterday and some people laughed at me, but this move for me is not about the money, it's about hopefully making a difference in the US with the soccer and that's what I'm going there for.

"I'm going for the life, of course, for my kids to enjoy it and my wife to enjoy it, but the main thing for me is to improve the soccer and to improve the standard and to be part of history really."

The five-year deal will see Beckham earn more than £70,000 a day - more than any player has ever earned. "I think soccer can be a lot bigger in the US. From a young age kids are brought up with soccer - they're brought up with soccer to a certain age and then they seem to go into other areas. Hopefully that's what I'll be there for, to pass my experience on to them."

The former England captain continued to lay it on thick for his new audience, claiming he had long admired America as an "amazing" and "very passionate" country. "I can't wait," he said, adding it would be a "huge challenge."

Meanwhile Real keeper goalkeeper Iker Casillas has insisted that Beckham will be missed by his team-mates at Madrid. "It's a pity," he said. "Those of us who have known him believe him to be a great player and a great professional. He has given everything to Real Madrid. "I feel fortunate to have known him because he is a magnificent person. We are happy for him but equally sad because he is an example for everyone of us."