David Beckham is headed to AC Milan and, very likely, to the World Cup

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David Beckham flew back to Los Angeles from England today, but it won’t be long before the Galaxy star is airborne again.

According to Adriano Galliani, the chief executive of AC Milan, Beckham’s proposed move to the Serie A team is locked in stone and the English midfielder will rejoin the Italian club for a second spell in the New Year.

‘David Beckham’s return on loan in January is already a done deal,’ Galliani told Sky Sport Italia today.

Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf told England’s Telegraph newspaper that Beckham would be more than welcome.

‘He is a player who has already given an important contribution to Milan and I am convinced that he would continue to do so if he returns to Milan,’ Seedorf said.

Meanwhile, it appears that Beckham is going to fulfill his wish of playing in a fourth World Cup after his cameo performance in England’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Belarus on Wednesday drew glowing reviews from England Coach Fabio Capello.

England had played poorly until Beckham entered the game with a half-hour left. He immediately provided the pass that led to England’s second goal, by Shaun Wright-Phillips, and later hit the post with a shot. Beckham was selected man of the match, even though Peter Crouch scored twice.

‘I was a bit surprised,’ Capello said. ‘I just thought it was like Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize after eight months as president. Beckham gets the man of the match after 30 minutes here . . . .’

Capello, who sees Beckham’s return to AC Milan as ‘very important’ to his World Cup chances, praised the Galaxy player for his professionalism.

‘When he’s played the last 20 minutes, 50 minutes, half an hour, from half-time, he’s always played well and been focused,’ Capello said. ‘Sometimes players, when they’re substitutes, have problems playing normally. Beckham always plays well.’

So, if he stays fit, if he stays healthy, it looks as if Beckham is South Africa-bound in 2010.

-- Grahame L. Jones