David Beckham announces Miami deal - and former Wolves midfielder Carl Robinson says MLS will benefit

The former England and Manchester United midfielder is aiming to bring the world's top players to Miami after taking up the option to buy a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise but key details about the project are still unconfirmed.

The 38-year-old, who retired from playing last year, said he planned to make the new team a globally-recognised club, though the home stadium, start date and name of the club are still not known.

Beckham, who won the Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1 as a player, would not confirm any names of players he wants to attract to Miami.

But he told a news conference in Miami: "We are going to make a soccer club that is going to be loved by millions of people – we plan on bringing a team that is not just for Miami but is a global team.

"We will want to bring in some of the best players in football to play in this team – I have seen what happens to a team when you bring great players in.

He said: "We want the best. It's pretty obvious who people would want to see in the team - we have a list of players, but as an owner who is an ex-player it would be disrespectful of me to say who.

"Fortunately I have played with some of the greatest players in the world, and these players have been sending me messages and calling me up and saying 'Miami, great – when can we get there'."

Beckham's group is now in talks with Miami local government officials about building a stadium for the new club, but he insisted no public money would be needed.

He said: "We don't want public money, we will fund the stadium ourselves, it is something that we have worked very hard on.

"Nothing successful in life is easy, there are going to be bumps along the way and you have to go through certain tough times to come out at the end being successful.

"We are going to have the right investors, and I'm not just talking about wealth but people who have a passion for the game as well."

Beckham said he would not be making any approaches to his former manager at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, to coach his team.

He added: "He is a great manager and gave me the chance to play for my boyhood dream club, but unfortunately he has retired so we won't pull him out of retirement, I think he is enjoying that."

Vancouver Whitecaps head coach and former Wolves midfielder Carl Robinson has been speaking about the impact Beckham's new MLS franchise could have upon the league as well as the sport within the USA.

Beckham was given an option to acquire an MLS franchise at a discounted rate of 25million US dollars (£15.3m) when he first joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. He played for the MLS club until 2012.

The former midfielder, who also had spells with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris St-Germain, added: "This is an exciting time for myself, my family, my friends and partners, and it is something we are really looking forward to bringing to Miami."

Miami's last Major Soccer League team folded more than a decade ago, having reportedly lost some £153.1m after being in existence for four seasons. It struggled with sparse attendance and had the lowest revenue in the league.

But that was partly because the team played in nearby Fort Lauderdale, and never had a purpose-built stadium.

The new franchise plans to construct one at a waterfront location, where Caribbean cruise ships dock.

Beckham has long had an ambition to own a team in the US, and his representatives held talks with the MLS about the possibility of him buying a franchise shortly before his retirement.

His friend, the basketball superstar LeBron James, said in November that he was in discussion with Beckham about investing in the planned football club project.

The Miami Heat star reiterated his desire to be involved yesterday. He said: "Right now, there are some things that need to be worked out but I think it's exciting for the city of Miami."

If a partnership is agreed it would be James' second investment in the sport – the 28-year-old is already a minority shareholder in English Premier League team Liverpool.

"I've grown a great interest in watching the game. It's a pretty intense sport and my kids love it as well.

"I've grown to the point where I know exactly what's going on when I'm watching the game."

The MLS currently consists of 19 teams, but the league announced in 2013 that two further sides would join in 2015.

Those will be Orlando City SC and New York City, which is part-owned by Manchester City.