David Beckham Says MLS Cup Will Be His Last Game For LA Galaxy

David Beckham is set to play his final game for the Los Angeles Galaxy, and it couldn’t be a bigger one.

Beckham announced that he will be leaving the team after next month’s MLS Cup, letting the public know of his decision one day after the team advanced to its second straight league championship game.

As The Associated Press noted, the 37-year-old David Beckham isn’t retiring, but hasn’t announced his next move yet.

“I’ve had an incredibly special time playing for the L.A. Galaxy,” Beckham said in a statement. “However, I wanted to experience one last challenge before the end of my playing career. I don’t see this as the end of my relationship with the league, as my ambition is to be part of the ownership structure in the future.”

David Beckham has spent six seasons with the LA Galaxy after his shocking departure from Real Madrid. In that time the team has advanced to three league finals and won the MLS title last year.

“In my time here I have seen the popularity of the game grow every year,” Beckham said. “I’ve been fortunate to win trophies, but more important to me has been the fantastic reception I’ve had from fans in L.A. and across the States. Soccer’s potential has no limits in this wonderful country, and I want to always be part of growing it.”

The team itself acknowledged its support for David Beckham, who gave a significant boost both to the team and to soccer in the United States.

“Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport,” said Tim Leiweke, the president of Galaxy owners AEG. “David not only took our franchise to another level, but he took our sport to another level It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of his world, and more importantly, to have him be a part of ours.”

David Beckham could be winding down to the end of his career. This summer he was cut from England’s Olympic soccer team, despite being the face of England soccer since London won was awarded an Olympic bid in 2005.