David Beckham was born in Leytonstone on 2 May 1975. After having trials with Leyton Orient and attending Tottenham Hotspur's school of excellence, he signed for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991. As a schoolboy he represented Essex Schools.

On 2 April 1995, David made his League debut at home to Leeds United. His first team debut had come two and a half years earlier when he came on as a substitute, 20 minutes from time, during the away leg of a Rumbelows Cup second round tie at Brighton and Hove Albion on October 1 1992.

It was in United's 1995/96 Double winning season that David established himself in the first team. Playing mainly right midfield (although his preferred position is central midfield) to fill the void left by the departure of Andrei Kanchelskis.

It is David's goals which have made him a household name. He scored the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea in 1996, a superb free kick in the 1998 World Cup Finals and "that goal" from the halfway line in the first game of the 1996/97 season at Wimbledon.

His performances in the 1995/96 season caught the eye of the then England manager Glenn Hoddle, who gave him his full debut on September 1 1996 against Moldova in Kishinev. Prior to this David had been capped at youth and Under-21 level.

David was a member of Manchester United's highly successful FA Youth Cup team, collecting a winners' medal in 1992 (scoring in the away leg at Crystal Palace) and a runners-up medal in 1993. He also qualified for a Pontins Central League medal in 1994, playing 16 games for the reserves.

During the 1996/97 season David came of age, proving to be a permanent fixture in the United and England teams. His match-winning performances for Manchester United during the season were enough to convince his fellow professionals to vote for him in the PFA awards, and he won the Young Player of the Year award, and came second in the Player of the Year voting. In the same year he also helped United to the European Cup semi-final and another Premier League Championship.

In 1998 David was included in Hoddle's 22-man squad for the World Cup finals in France. The tournament itself was one of mixed emotions for David, being left out of the starting line-up for the first two matches, he then scored a fantastic free-kick against Colombia in England's final match in the group stages and was hailed as a national hero. However, four days later he turned villain after being sent off in the second round match against Argentina.It was the first sending-off of his professional career.

Some experts predicted that his World Cup problems could lead to his exit from English football, but he knuckled down to prove them all wrong. In the first League game of the season against Leicester, he curled in one of his trademark free-kicks to prevent defeat.

In March 1999 he became a father to Brooklyn, whose name appeared on his boots when his team completed the dream Treble. In July the same year, David married Victoria Adams of the Spice Girls to complete a great 12 month rehabilitation which included picking up yet another League and FA Cup Double, and the ultimate European Cup triumph.

1999/2000 season was equally momentous for the Reds hero. David picked up his fourth Premiership winner's medal, and came second to Rivaldo in the voting for both World and European Player of the Year as well as runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

A high-profile bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson and a new haircut picked up almost as many headlines as his goals, but scoring his 50th for the club against Spurs in the last home game of the season turned the focus back onto the pitch.
David heads into the new century as the biggest name in English, and arguably world, football.
International stats correct at 27.4.00.

Did You Know?
When David Beckham was twelve years old, he won a Bobby Charlton Soccer Skills award. The award was presented to him at Old Trafford on a match day. The prize included a trip to the Nou Camp stadium, Barcelona.

On Saturday 22nd February 1997 David Beckham scored the equalising goal v Chelsea. The speed of the shot was measured at 97.9 mph.

As a youngster one of David Beckham’s idols was Glenn Hoddle.

In the 1994-95 season he scored for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League and for Preston North End in the Third Division.

David has his son's name tattooed on his back.

David is the subject of a University course which was started in 1999.

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