AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani was delighted to welcome new signing David Beckham to the club yesterday.

The LA Galaxy star was presented to Italy at a glittering signing ceremony yesterday and Galliani said: "After a long courtship that started in the spring of 2007, David finally arrived. We welcome him on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, who we thank for all they did to favour this move.

"This loan will last until June 30, 2009, but there is a gentleman's agreement to release the player on March 9.

"He will be at our disposal from January 7, when the transfer window opens, and therefore from the game against Roma to the one with Atalanta on March 8.

"We are setting up some friendlies for the dates left free by our Coppa Italia exit, then it is up to [Carlo] Ancelotti to decide whether to include him in the UEFA Cup squad.

"We came close to this move in 2007 and overnight there was a doubt, but he chose LA Galaxy. It was his idea to come here and we are happy to have another great star in our squad, the club with the most international titles in the world.

"It was not a simple transfer to complete with a series of problems in different continents."