Published 17:09 IST, November 18th 2019
Inter Miami: All you need to know about David Beckham's MLS team
David Beckham's Inter Miami CF will make their official entry into the MLS next season. A number of stars have been linked with a move to Beckham's Inter Miami.
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Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC are going to be the official newcomers in Major League Soccer (MLS) next season. However, David Beckham-backed Inter Miami have been the one grabbing headlines in recent weeks. And with good reason. Here's all you need to know about the new entrants to the MLS - Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, commonly known as Inter Miami.
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Inter Miami's MLS preparations in full swing
With a reported £750million stadium in the works, Inter Miami's preparations for the upcoming MLS season are in full swing. Miami Fusion's demise paved the way for a new Miami franchise to rise from the ashes, and David Beckham grabbed the opportunity with both hands. In the year 2012, the MLS signalled their intent to have an MLS team in Miami. FC Barcelona did take a gander at dipping their feet in the MLS. The concept of a 'Miami Barcelona', however, did not come to fruition. Interestingly, when David Beckham signed for LA Galaxy in 2007, the MLS included an option to buy an MLS expansion team in his contract, thanks to Beckham's worldwide presence. A reported fee of $25m was the sum required to buy an extension team in the MLS in Beckham's contract. With football in America gathering momentum, $25m was seen as a steal for an MLS team, which prompted David Beckham to exercise the clause in his contract in February 2014.
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Four years after announcing his intention to set up an MLS team in Miami, the league gave David Beckham and his team of investors the green light to go ahead with the 'Inter Miami' project. Inter Miami's stadium will be the 25,000-capacity Miami Freedom Park. While construction is still underway, Inter Miami will play their home games at the 18,000-seater Lockhart Stadium. This will then be converted into their training ground, once they move to Miami Freedom Park.
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Inter Miami transfers
Former Chicago Fire defender Grant Lillard is the most recent addition to Inter Miami's roster. The other players on the roster currently include the likes of Christian Makoun, Julian Carranza and Matias Pellegrini. With a number of top European players nearing the twilight of their careers, David Beckham is likely to target the likes of Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, Manchester City's David Silva and Real Madrid's Luka Modric. Cristiano Ronaldo has also been one of the names thrown around in the mix. The manager spot at Inter Miami is also likely to see a star name. Carlo Ancelotti could fancy the Inter Miami job, thanks to the tensions surrounding Napoli at the moment. Beckham also reportedly fancies former Manchester United manager David Moyes to kickstart the managerial reign at Inter Miami.
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11:35 IST, November 18th 2019