Chapter 4: Welcome to LA, David Beckham
"Okay, who was the dumbass to reject the next Pelé?"
That question, resonated throughout the quiet board room. The person who asked was an elderly aged man, with white hair wearing a grey suit and had to hold his posture up with a walking stick.
Everyone else had sat in front of a oval shaped table, to which sadly wasn't tall enough to hide their faces from the big boss.
"I'm talking to you, lot! Who was the mongrel to deny a talent like Naruto Namikaze, the rights to play for Newcastle?!" the old man shouted vociferously.
Everyone in the room, like children became quiet and began looking at each other, as to see who was brave enough to raise their hand.
Sadly no one actually did and this caught the elderly man's attention.
"So it was no one, huh?" he looked around the room, with his voice already stern for the lecture he was about to make.
"I ask again, who was it that denied, Naruto Namikaze from playing for Newcastle! And decided to bring back those drunks Gavin Harris and Liam Adams?!" everyone in the room watched as the elderly man pointed to the very back of the table, to Ian Ramsbottle.
"Ian! What did you do!?" the man shouted at his son. "What were you thinking!" his dad shouted as the boy tried to reply but his dad beat him to it.
"I'm sorry, dad…I thought we didn't need any young talent, at that time we had already had no money for another transfer."
"Transfer? He's was a scouted player?! There was no team he played for! He wasn't even a pro, you ninny! You imbecile! There's no way your my son?!" the man shouted as at that time, he felt a stiff grip in his chest, quickly holding up to his heart, there was concern in the board room as everyone went to check on the old man.
"SIR!? Please calm down, before you get a heartattack." One of the concerned members said as they dug into the man's pocket and took out his medication. Helping him take his dosage, and bring his blood pressure down to Earth, the old man sighed in relief.
"With this baboon's decisions. I'll die before I get a chance for that, Dorothy." The man told the female board member. Getting his cool back the man decided to speak lighter.
"Alright then, Ian. Please son, tell me this. Do you know Glen Foye?"
"Yes, dad. I know of him." The man nodded at the answer. "Good. Do you know he was the reason we found Santiago Munez?"
Ian nodded at that statement.
"Didn't he turn out well?"
"His career with Real wasn't that impressive, he was acting as their bench warmer and for Tottenham he still hasn't played for them since that rib injury that he got in the '06 World Cup."
"I meant?! For us, Ian! I mean for US! Didn't he play well?"
At that moment, Ian hesitated a bit as his dad sighed. "Dorothy read out Munez's stats from the past two seasons he was here." He told the board member, who obliged and open a docket.
"Santiago Munez. The 2003-04 season, tallied 41 appearances for Newcastle got 14 Goals/ 7 Assists, for the 2004-05, he wore Newcastle's colours for 39 appearances for 20 Goals/ 12 Assists and then he was bought by Real Madrid in the 2005-06 summer window for Michael Owen & 20 Million quid." She concluded.
"Thank you Dorothy." The man stated as he looked back to his dumbass of a son. "Now son, you heard how he turned out…a player that never played academy football, was bought by Real Madrid! Only two seasons of football! He was now a Galacticó! Can you believe that's the same player that Glen Foye brought to us?"
"Yeah…"
"That was a rhetorical question, boy. Now explain to me, how much did you spend to sign both of those mongrels, Adams and Harris?"
"Adams came in on a free dad, and Harris…30 Million quid." He concluded. "And do you know what's the funny part about that? You had the excellent idea, to skip not one but all of the physicals of your acquisitions! You brought a pair of drunks, that didn't do jack for this club last season. What position did we finish Dorothy?"
"10th place, sir."
"10th! You let me get robbed by the same moron, twice in a row!" he shouted vociferously as he did the peace sign. "Twice!" that number bombed out of his lips as everyone in the board room looked at Ian, everyone seriously wanted to laugh at his face, because the egg head always felt himself ever since his dad named him the Director of Football Operations.
"How are you this dumb! It's no wonder you flunked out of Oxford. You can't even think about things in real life."
"Dad…we had to make a move the window-"
"Shut it! The window?! You want to say the transfer window put pressure on you! I can assure you Ian, no moron out there was thinking to the same paces as you. You bought both of those drunks, in July! The 1st of July! The window opens on the 1st! So don't blame the window for your stupidity." He concluded his lecture as he raised his hand to stop his son, from trying to save face.
"That's enough." He stated as he turned to Dorothy. "Dorothy, can you estimate the value of Namikaze?"
The woman nodded as she turned a page from her docket, and landed on Naruto. "Namikaze, 16-year-old signed to a 3-year contract with the Galaxy. That's already 3 million needed to take him away from his current contract. He's had 17 match appearances with 23 G/ 20 A in all competitions that his team participated."
"Thank you, now Ian how many goals did Harris and Adams score for us last season?"
"Together…12, Dad."
"In an entire season, 12 goals. Outside the Premier League right?" everyone in the board room nodded. "They never helped us in the league…they were practically not there." He emphasized his final statement as he allowed Dorothy to continue.
"Due to having 43 goal contributions in 17 matches, we divide that together, to get…2.53 goal contributions per 90 minutes. Which compared to the standard 1 goal a game…leads his transfer value to be in…the 40 Million quid category, so far."
"You hear that, Ian. Something we could've gotten for free, we now have to pay an arm and a leg! Let's all clap our hands to this genius called my son!" the man shouted as he mockingly clapped as everyone followed him. "I'm going to give you that money Ian, but listen to me clearly. If you don't come back with Namikaze's signature by the end of this window, you're fired."
Ian could only gulp at that.
Across the Pond
While Ian could only worry about his potential sacking, it was currently dawn in LA and as always the rhythmic ringing of a clock was heard escaping Naruto's room.
BRR! BRR! BR-
The blond's hand slowly moved away from the annoying clock, as his lazy hand whipped his face. The past few months were something different to say the least.
A lot changed ever since he began storming through the MLS like crazy.
Being it's sensation, he was a polerizing figure, in the community and the blond couldn't help but sigh in relief that today was Thursday and there was no practise scheduled. The blond had been going full throttle throughout the entire first half, and needing to take a break he just wanted to spend some time on the beach.
Quickly doing his morning rituals, the blond wasted no time packing a couple towels, snacks in his gym bag. Even if it was dawn, and too early to be relaxing at the beach.
Naruto just wanted to breathe in the Pacific's air.
Exiting out of his orphanage's building. The teen made his way to the beach.
Soon enough he eventually got there, still travelling with his trusty bike.
Wearing his shades and relaxing on the sand, with a towel beneath his back. The teen allowed time to elapse, as he sighed in relief.
'This was so worth it...no practise...no important meetings...I can just simply relax my day away.' the blond thought 'Though why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?'
Becks' Presentation
The entire home stadium of LA Galaxy was filled to the brim by many faithful fans, all of them wanting to take a glimpse of their surprising acquisition, former Galactico, David Beckham.
Becks relaxed on the stage wearing a grey suit, with a white undershirt. His wife Victoria helped him pick it out earlier in the day and wanting to begin a fresh start in Los Angeles, he even got a fresh bald cut.
As the club president went on to introduce him to the Galaxy fans, Becks simply kept a bright smile on his face for the many tv broadcasters and paparazzi in attendance.
"And now ladies, and gentlemen it would be my destaint pleasure and honour to introduce to Los Angeles and the world, the newest member of the LA Galaxy...Mr. David Beckham." on cue Becks simply got off his chair and went up to shake the club president's hand as he was given his new Galaxy shirt.
At that time, confetti began to rain onto the stage, as rock music electrified the atmosphere, intensifying how much of a big moment Becks arrival to the club was.
Showing it off to the press and smiling as the camera flashes came one after the other, the fans of LA shouted in cheers as soon enough David was allowed to give his introductory speech.
"In my career, I've played for the biggest clubs in Europe, Manchester United, Real Madrid and for my country, England. For 11 years for those who were wondering which will surely keep on growing." Becks began as he sat infront of the podium speaking into the microphone.
"And in my career I've always looked for challenges in my career...something that always keep my life exciting. So due to my family now moving to Los Angeles." the fans cheered the man on as he emphasised the city by raising his hands.
(A/N if you want to see the presentation I got you, just copy the URL: watch?v=k9aAS9-hmtQ)
"I'm proud of knowing that our life has been perfect as for me the well being of my family is important. The second thing is foot- soccer." Becks corrected himself since he was now in the USA.
"I'm not sure if I'll get used to saying that...but I'll get used to it at some point." he quipped. "So onto my new challenge, this is one of the biggest challenges I ever taken to my career. To move to a different country, on the other side of the world. Which is something I'm looking forward to. As I think it's something that's potentially, going to end up making soccer become bigger in other parts of the globe." he added as the fans continued to cheer.
"I can't wait to be part of that, for the next five years and maybe a few more years later. I'm looking forward to joining the lads come next week monday, looking forward to the next game and looking forward to playing alongside a young talent as Naruto Namikaze." the mention of the Galaxy's budding star caused everyone in the stands to erupt making Becks smile.
He'd heard a lot of buzz about the blond ever since he spoken to the Galaxy board to initialise his transfer. Truth be told he was one of the reason's he chose LA. He wanted to see, if he indeed was as insane of a talent as his stats proclaimed.
"I just want to say thank you, for the support you gave me throughout my career. Thank you to everyone that made this happen and made my dreams come true. I'm looking forward to this journey, which me and my family will take part in. I want to thank you very much and umm, good luck to the team for Saturday's game and I hope you enjoy supporting us." he concluded as the fans cheered.
Game Day: MLS Match Week 27
D.C United at LA Galaxy
Having had spent his entire day settling in with his family at their new home in Beverley Hills. Becks' day needed some down time and what better than to watch your new team play.
Being given a spot in the V.I.P area of the stadium, the blond footballer walked out of the communion and finding his seat. The man was surprised when he saw a familiar face.
"Well hello, there Glen. It's been awhile." the man quipped at the man who sat beside him. Glen hearing his name being called looked aside himself only to just chuckle.
"Hello, Becks. What brings you here?" Glen questioned. "I just felt like seeing my new team. You?"
"Just helping out a client of mine, I'm currently working on setting him up with a shoe deal."
"Really? You're still agent?" Glen nodded as Becks smiled. "Well atleast you bounce back after the whole Munez situation, how is he anyway?"
"Hell if I know. He was your teammate, Becks. You should know more than me." Glen replied shrugging as Becks rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, that's true...but I wouldn't say we were that close. I was just wondering if you heard of him."
"Well I never did ever since we went our different ways, Becks."
"You want to talk about it?"
"Not really...guy was crying about eating sushi. At least this new client of mine can eat it no problem." Becks felt like asking how sushi ended up making both Glen and Munez's relationship go sour, but he felt like he wanted to ask about his new client.
"So, who's the new client you're helping, captain?" Becks smiled as he nudged Glen's shoulder. The latter had played with him on the England squad back when he was not yet in football stardom.
"Oh, you know him, Becks. You know him very well." he added as Becks looked surprised. "Really?" Glen nodded. "You spoke about him in your speech on Thursday." hearing this Becks' eyes grew to saucers.
"No way! Naruto Namikaze is your client! You got yourself quiet the player, there captain." Becks whistled since all the highlights and tape he watched about his new team, there was proof that Naruto was something special.
He had the pace, vision and ball control of a winger, while at the same time the balance, shooting and aggression of a striker. That type of playstyle was something that reminded Becks of his teammate Ronaldo Fenomeno...back when he played for Barcelona. Which was honestly...very scary.
"Thanks." Glen replied as the two then fell into silence until Becks spoke up. "So is he really that good?" Becks questioned as Glen looked at him only to signal for him to look forward.
"Well the players are coming out, so you'll find your answer." Becks looking back to the pitch, could see that the players lined up beside the refereeing team. Not sure on what he was going to see, Becks didn't know that this game would be one that went down in legend.