David Beckham has revealed that he was tempted to sign for AS Roma in order to play alongside the club legend Francesco Totti.
The 2006 World Cup is due to depart hometown club Roma as a player after his final game this weekend against Genoa.
Since news of the announcement broke, tributes have poured from former club and international team-mates alike, as well as opponents.
Beckham, who did play in Serie A for a time but with Roma's top flight rivals AC Milan on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy for two spells, spoke of the time he considerd joining Roma because of Totti's presence.
"There was an opportunity for me to join Roma when I was in America," he told Roma's official club website as part of the tributes to Totti.
"And one of the biggest reasons that I was very tempted was because of Francesco. To play in a team with him would have been very special. It's always special when you're actually on the field playing against him."
Totti is among the last of football's one-club men, having stayed loyal to Serie A side AS Roma for the entirety of his career.
The legendary forward made his debut for hometown club Roma as a 16 year old back in the 1992-93 season and is in his 25th career as a senior professional at the club.
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