Beckham is likely to go back to the US in March for their new MLS season

AC Milan have confirmed that England midfielder David Beckham will join the club on loan from 7 January.

The 33-year-old's representatives held talks with the Italian giants on Thursday and quickly reached agreement on the terms of the deal.

Beckham, who plays for US side LA Galaxy, wants to stay fit during the MLS close-season and is set to return to the US in March for the new season.

Beckham, who has 108 caps, is keen to keep his place in the national squad.

England manager Fabio Capello believes Beckham's signing is a good piece of business for AC Milan.

"Milan have made a good addition," said Capello, who coached the Rossoneri from 1991-96 and 1997-98.

"At Madrid I left him out of the squad because he had signed a contract with Los Angeles but he continued to come on the field and train and I put him back in the team.

"He is a very serious lad, very sensible, a professional. People think he is a playboy off the field, it's not true at all."

606: DEBATE Do you think Beckham will be a success at AC Milan?

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has given the blessing for the midfielder to join up with his squad, and provide more competition for places.

Earlier this week LA Galaxy announced they have postponed their December tour of Australia because of Beckham's impending move to Italy.

LA Galaxy had been due to face the Queensland Roar on 11 December in Brisbane but will rearrange the fixture for a later date, yet to be confirmed.

However, the Galaxy will still play a 6 December fixture against an Oceania All-Star team in Auckland, New Zealand.

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena told Beckham to give his all for the Serie A club despite the risk of returning to American with an injury or suffering fatigue later in the MLS season.

"I think when players don't go 100% they get hurt, so I'm not going to give him any advice about pulling out of tackles," said Arena.

"David's a very experienced player and he understands when to go into challenges and when not to.

"Once in a while it doesn't always work out that way but if he goes and can play and train in that environment against players of that quality, it can't be at 50%.

"He needs to play at 100% and he needs to position himself to get on the field for first-team minutes.

"Players can get injured whether they are in training camp or playing games and there's no method you can create that can prevent injury."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder is hoping that a move to Milan will boost his chances of selection in the national squad.

Arena added: "His reasons are to stay fit and to make himself available for England, and the only way he can do that is to be training and playing in a good environment.

"This, on the part of David, was a purely technical rationale. He wants to continue to play for England and this is one of the ways to do that."

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