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David Beckham at a news conference in Manila earlier. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
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Beckham: 'Big decision' to make on future as London 2012 on the horizon

Former England skipper said he “would love to be part of the GB team” in the Olympics next year, especially since the games will be played in a part of London where he grew up.

DAVID BECKHAM SAYS he has a “big decision to make” after his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy expires and reiterated his desire to play for the British team at the 2012 London Olympics.

The former England captain arrived in Manila today with Robbie Keane his Galaxy teammates for the second leg of a series of exhibitions.

“I’m very proud of the time that I’ve spent with the Galaxy and it might continue,” said Beckham, whose contract expires at the end of the tour. “I think at the end of the day I have a big decision to make, but I obviously haven’t made one yet.”

Beckham said he “would love to be part of the GB team” in the Olympics next year, especially since the games will be played in a part of London where he grew up.

“Hopefully, I’ll be going back to London next summer,” he said.

The Galaxy won 1-0 against Indonesia on Wednesday, play the Philippine national team on Saturday and head to Australia.

The exhibition on Saturday in Manila is expected to give a boost to soccer in a country where the national team is lowly ranked and basketball and boxing are the most popular sports in town.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena encouraged Filipino soccer players to “work hard” and “chase the dream” of international competition.

The Philippine team is improving, reaching the semifinals this year at the Asean Football Federation Cup. Most of the players are half-Filipinos from European leagues who want to play for the country.

Before Saturday’s game, Beckham and the Galaxy will hold a soccer clinic with children from poor communities in Manila.

“We always try to play diplomatic football … but we want to win. It doesn’t matter if its a friendly, we want to win the game,” he said.

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Associated Foreign Press