Former England captain David Beckham was officially awarded a Major League Soccer (MLS) Franchise in Miami yesterday.

Beckham first announced his plan for a team in the South Florida city four years ago but he has faced a series of problems in finding a suitable venue and has adjusted the consortium backing his plan.

Along with Beckham, the club will be owned by Marcelo Claure, Ceo of Telecommunications Company Sprint, Jorge and Jose Mas, Miami-based leaders of telecommunications and construction company Mastec; Masayoshi son, founder and Ceo of Softbank; and entertainment entrepreneur Simon Fuller.

Beckham, the ex-Manchester united and real Madrid midfielder, had the right to a discounted franchise as part of the deal which brought him to play in MLS in 2007.