Beckham to retire from soccer at end of season

LONDON - David Beckham is retiring from soccer after the season, ending a career in which he become a global superstar since starting his career at Manchester United.

The 38-year-old Englishman recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain. He said in a statement Thursday he is "thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level."

Beckham has two games left this season with PSG. He also played for Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy, winning titles with both those clubs as well as with United.

"If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I'm fortunate to have realized those dreams," Beckham said.

On the international stage, Beckham has made 115 appearances for England's national team - a record for a player other than a goalkeeper.