David Beckham’s $250-million move to LA Galaxy made front-page news, even though many Americans know his name only from the film Bend It Like Beckham.

Christine Brennan, a sports columnist for USA Today, said: “David Beckham coming to the United States is . . . [like] Tiger Woods meeting Brad Pitt on the red carpet. This transcends sports. This is a big, big deal.”

The Los Angeles Times declared smugly: “Somehow, it was just meant to be.” Peter Guber, a film producer, told the paper: “It’s like manifest destiny. At a certain point in somebody’s career, Hollywood is an inevitable stop on the journey. Whatever the luminosity of these celebrities in New York or England or Paris, they want to test it against the ultimate pop culture of Los Angeles.”

The media focused less on Beckham’s graceful right foot than on his giant pay-packet (he is now America’s highest paid sports star) and his pop star wife, Victoria. “Beckham’s Big Score” and “Spend it like Beckham” were the headline offerings from the New York Daily News and the New York Post, while the Houston Chronicle commented: “The man, the myth, the legend, the metrosexual, the fashion plate, the trophy husband, the pitchman and, oh yes, the soccer player.”

The New York Times suggested that the move might even revive Mrs Beckham’s singing career.

Appropriately, the Wall Street Journal pondered whether “Brand Beckham” would sell in the United States. “Playing in America, Mr Beckham, 31 years old, may be able to hang on to his marketing appeal even though his on-field prowess has faded lately. He will face easier competition than in Europe, and his talent will likely make him one of the best players in the US,” the newspaper concluded.

There were plenty of naysayers, however, who recalled the collapse of the North American Soccer League. “When that league began signing superstar foreign players such as Pelé for big bucks, it marked the beginning of the road to bankruptcy for that league,” the Kansas City Star said.

John Ryan, of the San Jose Mercury News, noted that Beckham’s pay was roughly double the salary of every single player in the US league last year. “Can Becks score 50 times as many goals?” he asks. “Doubt it.”

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