David Beckham's salary at the Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain (P.S.G.) will be donated to a children's charity in French capital, the former England captain said on Thursday.
"With [president] Nasser Al-Khelaifi, with [sports director] Leonardo, we decided on something that's quite unique," Beckham, who signed a five-month deal with the Paris team, told a news conference. "I won't receive any salary during my time at Paris Saint-Germain, my salary will go to a children's charity in Paris."
Beckham, who did not elaborate on details of the donation, only described both himself and club officials as "very passionate about children and charity," and that the arrangement may be historically unprecedented in the league.
The iconic British footballer and former England captain, who has been training with Premier League club Arsenal in a bid to retain his fitness, left the cardiology department of La Pitie Salpetriere hospital in Paris in the early afternoon. He was surrounded by media and league officials amid French and British media reports the star was set to join the Ligue 1 club.
P.S.G. manager Carlo Ancelotti's usual pre-game news conference was cancelled on Thursday and replaced by a news conference at the Parc des Princes with the club's sporting director Leonardo and president Nasser al-Khelaifi.
Beckham, the 37-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid, is a free agent after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the Major League Soccer season in December.