Beckham was greeted by about 5,000 fans, many of them Galaxy season ticket-holders, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., for a 10 a.m. news conference, timed to gain national and global exposure and allow Beckham to join new teammates at a training session.
Beckham, his wife, Victoria, and sons Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz were met at Los Angeles International Airport by dozens of photographers and reporters Thursday before moving into a $22 million home in Beverly Hills near family friend Tom Cruise.
After playing football for Manchester United and futbol for Real Madrid, Beckham is adjusting to calling the sport soccer.
"For me, the most important thing in my life is my family," he said. "The second thing is the foo . . . is the soccer. I'll get used to that at some point. I'm sorry.
"I've always looked for challenges in my career and something exciting in my life. My family has now moved to Los Angeles.
"It's something we're looking forward to, something we're very proud of, and in our life everything's perfect.
"So, on to my new challenge. This is one of the biggest challenges I have ever taken on in my career, to move to a different country, the other side of the world, something that I'm looking forward to."
Beckham, 32, will earn $5.5 million annually, plus a percentage of profits from marketing, shirt, and ticket sales. Beckham's debut for the Galaxy is expected to be next Saturday, in an exhibition against Chelsea.
The Galaxy will then meet Mexican powers Pachuca (July 24) and CD Guadalajara (July 28) and visit FC Dallas (July 31) in Interliga games, then return to MLS regular-season action at Toronto FC Aug. 5.
Beckham will be juggling media appearances with his obligations to the Galaxy.
"I've had that throughout my career, people questioning me doing different things outside of my soccer career," Beckham said.
