Former England captain David Beckham will release a picture book in October featuring images from his playing career in a deal with the same publishing house that put out Fifty Shades of Grey, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's controversial autobiography.
The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, who retired from football in May after a brief spell with Paris St Germain, is expected to release the book on October 31 with Lagardere's UK-based Headline Publishing Group.
Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.
He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France.
His new book is just one part of the post-retirement plans for Britain's richest sportsman, whose easy charm and image as a family man should ensure the Beckham brand continues to prosper.
Headline's non-fiction publishing director, Jonathan Taylor, bought the world rights in a deal with the 38-year-old's management company XIX Entertainment for a book the publisher said will be a personal celebration of his playing days.
"David Beckham is, without a doubt, the most universally recognised and popular sports person on the planet, and this gorgeous book will be a superb way for his millions of fans around the world to celebrate David's remarkable achievements within football," Taylor said.
Managed by the XIX Entertainment group which represents Lewis Hamilton and Andy Murray, Beckham has capitalised on his film-star looks, athlete's body and marriage to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham to market underwear for Swedish fashion chain H&M, and luxury watches for Swiss manufacturer Breitling.
Lagardere posted a 2.3 per cent rise in first-quarter sales in May, driven by the publishing success of the "Fifty Shades" best-sellers and a biography of Sweden international - and Beckham's former PSG team-mate - Ibrahimovic.
Culled from Euro Sport
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