Beckham to join AC Milan on loan from LA Galaxy

David Beckham's return to AC Milan is on. Adriano Galliani, chief executive of the Italian Serie A club, told Italy's Sky TV: "It's 100 per cent certain. The only thing missing is the signatures, the agreement is done."

Beckham, who plays Major League Soccer for the Los Angeles Galaxy, will join the Silvio Berlusconi-owned club on loan for the MLS off-season, starting in January, just as he did last year.

At 34, Beckham needs Serie A experience if he is to stand a chance of being picked for the England squad travelling to South Africa for next summer's World Cup. After appearing as a substitute in the qualifier against Belarus earlier this month, Beckham said a deal was "95 per cent done" between the LA Galaxy and AC Milan. "I don't see why it isn't going to happen," he said. "I always wanted to go back."

The feeling was mutual: Beckham performed well for Milan last winter, so much so that the Italians extended the loan period - to the anger of Galaxy fans who jeered him when he finally got back to the States.

That bad feeling appears to be history, now, with the the former Man Utd and Real Madrid player finally settling in at the Galaxy: he played a key role in helping his side to a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, which confirmed the Galaxy as winners of the MLS Western Conference.

Beckham was cheered by Galaxy fans when he was replaced five minutes before the end of the game - a far cry from his ugly reception in July.