Becks fashions a new start in Milan

Beckham's move to Milan could be the cause to prolong his England career.

David Beckham's move would see him stay in the England frame in a move that would suit all parties.

LA is his lady, but Milan is right up her street. On the same day Victoria Beckham was telling the world that her husband David is the "good looking one" in their relationship, AC Milan were proudly boasting about being the latest stopover in the ongoing midfielder's startling career. Both could be regarded as marriages of some fascination.

In the football world of fashionable moves, Beckham's loan agreement to join AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy in January, seems to have been cut in the house of Versace, if not Rodeo Drive. The US season goes into hibernation after the weekend, but Beckham will remain vibrant in Italy for at least four months after the New Year. While Goldenballs is busy trying to stay in and around Fabio Capello's England squad, Posh can get as equally busy in and around the shopping boutiques of this romantic city.

The chance to large it in Lombardy for several months seems too good a chance to miss. The San Siro and its 82,000 seats for him, meandering down Monte Napoleone street for her. Nice work if you can get it. The rise in shirt sales, the awareness of AC outside of Italy and the financial benefits that come from Brand Beckham is instantly appealing, even to a club who have snagged the European Cup seven times. Real Madrid made millions from him, but he also helped Capello seize the Spanish title after being exiled and reintroduced.

Capello made his name by winning at Milan, and can check on Beckham's form in his native Italy. With 106 caps, Beckham needs to earn two more to overhaul Bobby Moore's record for an outfield England player. This imaginative move should finalise that dilemma. Carlo Ancelotti was yesterday quick to endorse his club's pursuit of the player. "It will be a pleasure for me to have Beckham here. He is a serious athlete and a great professional," he said.

"If he is available for us for four months then we will be delighted to have him. He will play for Milan in Serie A, and in Europe." Critics claim the Milan squad is an aging one, a kind of retirement home for stardom, and that Beckham, at 33, is not the way forward for a side who had an average age of 32 when they lost to Arsenal in last season's Champions League. But unlike the fledgling MLS league in the US, the Italian Serie A has never been a hiding place.

Life at AC Milan will continue tonight as they travel to Holland to take on Heerenveen in the first of their Uefa Cup group games. The thought of Beckham joining Ronaldinho, who scored twice in the 3-0 weekend win over Sampdoria, Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko is inspiring. Beckham may not be jet-heeled, but his game has been built on his use of the ball, delectable crossing, stamina and utter professionalism. It was never founded on drifting by opponents.

To describe Beckham as some sort of haggard has-been reeks of petty jealousy and is patent nonsense. When a club like Milan come calling, you are hardly a busted flush. Much to the chagrin of his detractors, Beckham is back. There is still life, and loan deals, in the old dog yet. A man who has lived a charmed life continues to exhibit the Midas touch. Everything Beckham touches turns to gold and goals.

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