More millions for Beckham - in his own words

He can cross the ball but can he cross his Ts? It was announced yesterday that David Beckham, at the tender age of 27, has signed a multi-million pound deal to pen his autobiography.

Conveniently forgetting the publication of a previous effort, David Beckham: My World, more than two years ago, the Manchester United and Eng land footballer has signed with HarperCollins to write what he describes as his first real autobiography.

The book, in which Beckham promises to reveal details of his career and private life "in my own words for the first time", will be published in autumn next year.

"Although I have been involved in one or two book projects before, this will be my first autobiography," Beckham, whose squeaky voice is only matched by his squeaky clean private life, said on signing the contract. "I reckon that I have had a pretty interesting career so far and am looking forward to telling my story in my own words for the first time."

A HarperCollins spokeswoman confirmed Beckham would be getting "professional help" with the writing. But she refused to disclose the exact sum paid for the rights, confirming only that it was a "multi-million pound" deal.

However Joel Rickett, news editor of Bookseller magazine, estimated the contract would be worth more than £2m. "If you think that HarperCollins paid Murray Walker £1.2m then Beckham, who is probably the biggest name in Britain that you could sign up at the moment, must be getting more than that. HarperCollins also have the serialisation rights which will be worth a fortune."

Amanda Ridout, the managing director of HarperCollins General Books, clearly has no doubts. "This will be the publishing event of 2003," she said. "David will give us a fascinating insight into the private life of a man whose every move is followed on the world stage."