Beckham’s new club Inter Miami plan to build two stadiums costing £800m
After a series of delays, the new side are just 12 months away from their debut and have plenty of work to do
DAVID BECKHAM has unveiled his personal field of dreams - on a disused and overgrown stadium next to an airport.
Beckham, 43, is the joint owner of new MLS franchise Inter Miami.
The project has been hit by a series of setbacks over the past six years.
But just 12 months away from the planned launch of the side, Beckham announced plans to knock down the former Lockhart Stadium - home of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers - to build an academy and the club’s FIRST base.
The £50million, 18,000-capacity stadium, an hour’s drive from downtown Miami, will be Inter’s home for their first two MLS seasons while a state-of-the-art ground is built near to the city’s main airport 25 miles away.
The new Lockhart Stadium will then be transformed into a training centre and academy base when they move into their permanent home - the Miami Freedom Park - in 2022.
Beckham said: “From day one, six years ago, I said this project was all about the academy and the future of the kids.
“This will be the heart and soul of our organisation. It is very exciting.”
Beckham had to wait for planes taking off from the adjacent Fort Lauderdale international airport to pass.
He then picked his way through the dilapidated pitch, where only the goalposts remain as a memorial to the 60-year-old venue.
A final decision on the plans will be made by Fort Lauderdale council members on Tuesday with Beckham’s co-owner Jorge Mas promising: “This will revitalise a historic stadium site.
“We will be in Miami by 2022 but this will be our home as we start our process to become the MLS’ global team.”
Footie icons Johan Cruyff and Pele have both played at the venue in their North American Soccer League days.
And Becks added: “There is a lot of history here and we're not going to forget that, but we want to create new memories and build a great future.”
Inter will spend two seasons at Lockhart Stadium, while their permanent home on the fringes of Miami International Airport is being built.
Beckham and partner Jorge Mas want to redevelop Melreese golf course into Miami Freedom Park.
Their plans, which will cost at least £750million, will include a 25,000-seater stadium, office space, a golf course and a massive hotel.