The England midfielder joined the Los Angeles Galaxy from Real Madrid on a deal worth an estimated $250 million as part of an orchestrated bid to lift American soccer to a new level.
One of the world's most marketable sports figures, Beckham was enthusiasm personified when first paraded in front of Galaxy season-ticket holders and sponsors' guests at the Home Depot Center.
"To move to a different country on the other side of the world is something I'm looking forward to," he said after being introduced amidst a burst of gold, blue and white confetti.
"I think potentially in the States soccer could be as big as it is everywhere in the world and I'm very proud to be part of that for the next five years, and maybe after that."
The contrast with Italy's Serie A could hardly have been starker.
"I knew I'd have fun but I didn't expect to have so much fun," Beckham told Italian paper Corriere della Sera last week. "The possibility to play at Milan is something special.
"Everyone has done their bit to make me feel at ease. I've been welcomed really well."
"The U.S. championship is young," he said. "I think it will take 10 years more to hit big targets. I must admit that, having played in Europe, sometimes it has been frustrating to take part in certain games."
Beckham's enthusiasm for Milan has been unrestrained over the last few weeks but it was only on Wednesday that he finally went public with his yearning to quit the Galaxy.
"I have expressed my desire now to stay in Milan and hopefully the clubs can come to some agreement," he said after a friendly between the Glasgow Rangers and Milan at Ibrox.
"My main objective is to stay at this club and I enjoy playing here and at the highest level and it would give me more of a chance (of playing in the 2010 World Cup)."
On Thursday, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said Beckham's request for a permanent move to Italy would be handled in the best interests of th
