DUBAI: David Beckham made his AC Milan debut with a steady first-half run-out against Hamburg SV in a friendly yesterday, the Italians going on to win 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1.
Beckham has joined the Serie A club on a short loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy to keep up his fitness and stay in the England picture during the US close season.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder was soon involved, sending a long ball into the Hamburg penalty area seeking out Andriy Shevchenko.
He later set up Alexandre Pato to shoot straight at the Hamburg keeper before being substituted at half-time.
Ronaldinho broke the deadlock for Milan, scoring from the penalty spot in the 61st minute, but Hamburg were quick to equalize with a close-range effort from Collin Benjamin in the 66th minute.
England striker Defoe to rejoin Tottenham
In London, England striker Jermain Defoe will rejoin Tottenham Hotspur from Portsmouth after the Premier League clubs agreed a fee yesterday.
Tottenham said on their website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com) Defoe, who spent four years at White Hart Lane before moving to Portsmouth for £7.5 million a year ago, had agreed personal terms for the move, which is subject to a medical. He will be presented to home fans before Tuesday night’s League Cup semifinal, first leg against Burnley, Tottenham said.
No transfer fee was given by either club for the move but local media speculated that Spurs would be paying around 15 million pounds ($21.86 million).
Defoe’s move links him for the third time with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who took him to Portsmouth last season having been his boss at West Ham United where the 26-year-old began his professional career.
Defoe, who scored 17 goals in 36 games for Portsmouth, has played 32 times for England, many of them substitute appearances, and scored six goals.
