Saturday 5 December 2015 08:03, UK
David Beckham has been given the go-ahead to build a new stadium for Major League Soccer franchise Miami Beckham United.
Beckham's team of investors, who have spent more than a year attempting to secure a home for his franchise in the Floridian City, have acquired a site in Overtown, Miami.
On Wednesday, the former England captain was warned by MLS commissioner Don Garber that he risked missing out on the MLS if issues regarding a site for a new stadium were not solved "soon".
And Beckham's team must still gain MLS approval before beginning their planned work on the land.
"Miami Beckham United has secured a stadium development site at 650 Northwest 8th Street in the City of Miami's historic Overtown neighborhood," a statement from Beckham's team published in the Miami Herald.
"We intend to create an assemblage of private and county-controlled land totalling approximately nine acres in Miami's urban core, within walking distance of multiple public transit options and the up-and-coming Miami River District.
"The private properties, which comprise the majority of the land, are under contract and we intend to purchase the County land at fair market value pending approval of our site by the MLS Board of Governors."
The statement added: "Construction of our venue will be privately financed and we will work with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to establish our club as an educational resource for the community.
"We will also engage nearby businesses and residents as we develop our stadium design and take steps to enhance the neighbourhood."
Beckham's advisers inserted a clause into his contract when he signed for Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 that would allow him to create his own MLS franchise.
The deal was announced one day before a meeting of the MLS board of governors and is the fourth attempt Beckham's team have made to buy a suitable site in Miami.
