PRESIDENT WILL HELP BECKS RULE

EXCLUSIVE GOLDENBALLS STEPS UP BID TO CONQUER USA *The gridiron star, not the politician

DAVID BECKHAM'S campaign to conquer America will begin on Tuesday - with a little help from "The President".

adidas, who are the England star's personal sponsors, will launch a special advertising video that features LA Galaxy-bound Becks with Reggie Bush, an NFL superstar.

Bush is a 22-year-old Californian who plays gridiron for New Orleans Saints. And thanks to his surname he's been nicknamed The President.

The promotion is all part of the countdown to the former Real Madrid man's debut for Galaxy in a fortnight's time.

The fun footage is reminiscent of a previous adidas campaign filmed in the wake of England's Rugby Union World Cup triumph in 2003.

In that British ad, Becks appeared in tandem with England rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson. The duo swapped roles as Becks attempted to land penalties with a rugby ball and Wilkinson aimed to bend it like Beckham with free-kicks.

And the US version of this role-reversal has Beckham trying his hand at American football while teaching Bush, the hottest property in his sport, how to take a free-kick.

Bush has set a record in the NFL for the highest number of personal endorsements at the youngest age. He already collects more than $5m a year from off-field activities.

Video footage of the Becks/Bush action will be made available online to sports fans across America and around the globe.

It's clear LA Galaxy pulled off a major transfer coup by persuading the 32-year-old England midfielder to commit the rest of his career to them back in January.

They may have tabled a deal worth £128million over the next five years, but that investment is looking particularly shrewd given the way Beckham finished the season for both club and country.

Back in January he was unwanted by Real Madrid and outside the thoughts of England boss Steve McClaren. But he forced his way back into Real's title-winning team and subsequently pressed McClaren into a U-turn.

Over the past four months Beckham's stock has climbed in Europe and the bosses of LA Galaxy have realised their transfer could be about to pay off big-time.

Fears that the ankle injury that forced him off during Real's title-winning victory over Mallorca would delay the start of his career in America have been allayed.

"David hurt the medial ligaments in his left ankle playing for England in Estonia," said his manager Terry Byrne. "But we are certain there will not be a problem regarding his debut with LA Galaxy.

"He is confident that he will be fine. It is nothing serious."


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