FILE - In this June 25, 2006 file photo, England's David Beckham celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Round of 16 World Cup soccer match against Ecuador in Stuttgart, Germany. Beckham says he is retiring from soccer at the end of the season. The 38-year-old Beckham recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain. He has become a global superstar since starting his career at Manchester United. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, FIle) (The Associated Press)
LONDON – Highlights in the career of David Beckham, who said Thursday he will retire from soccer at the end of the season:
1975 — Born May 2 in Leytonstone, East London.
1991 — Joins Manchester United as trainee.
1993 — Signs professional contract at Old Trafford.
1996 — Wins first FA Cup and Premier League title at Manchester United; Scores goal of season with shot from halfway line; Makes England debut against Moldova.
1997 — Wins second Premier League medal at United; Voted PFA Young Player of the Year.
1998 — Scores first England goal against Colombia at World Cup; Sent off against Argentina and briefly becomes hated figure in England.
1999 — Wins third Premier League title at Man United, along with FA Cup and Champions League trophies; Runner-up in World Player of the Year awards.
2000 — Wins fourth Premier League title medal at Man United; chosen England captain.
2001 — Wins fifth Premier League title at Man United; Curls in last-minute free kick against Greece to send England to World Cup.
2003 — Man United manager Alex Ferguson accidentally kicks boot into Beckham's face after FA Cup loss to Arsenal; wins sixth Premier League medal; Awarded OBE for services to soccer; moves to Real Madrid and wins Spanish Super Cup.
2004 — Misses penalty as England loses to Portugal in shootout in Euro 2004 quarterfinals.
2005 — Captains England for 50th time in friendly against Argentina in Geneva.
2006 — Quits as England captain after World Cup quarterfinal exit to Portugal; Dropped from England squad for friendly against Greece.
2007 — Wins Spanish league with Real Madrid; Joins Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy on five-year contract; Gets England recall.
2008 — Makes 100th England appearance.
2009 — Joins AC Milan on loan; Wins 109th cap to break Bobby Moore's record for an outfield player, makes 115th and final appearance against Belarus.
2010 — Tears Achilles tendon and misses World Cup.
2011 — Wins MLS Cup with Galaxy.
2012 — Re-signs with Galaxy and wins second MLS Cup.
2013 — Signs five-month contract with Paris Saint-Germain, donating salary to a children's charity; PSG clinches French league title, Beckham becomes first Englishman to win league titles in four different countries.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.