http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Football-Vale-old-boy-join-Galaxy-stars/article-1006292-detail/article.htmlFootball: Vale old boy to join Galaxy of stars
Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 07:30
CHRIS Birchall's last two games were against Hereford and Southend. His next two could be against AC Milan and Barcelona.
The 25-year-old, from Stone, is heading for the LA Galaxy to team up with David Beckham after he was offered a four-year contract by the MLS club.
The deal is officially being mulled over by his agents, but there's no doubt what his answer will be.
"It's a no brainer!" he grinned.
LA Galaxy wanted to sign him from Brighton in April, but the League One strugglers refused to release him from the final weeks of his short-term contract.
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Birchall thought his chance had gone, but has been offered the deal after he was invited to train with Galaxy last week.
The MLS season runs through the summer. However, as their transfer deadline closed on April 15, Birchall won't be able to play until it reopens on July 15. That's just in time for their friendlies against Barcelona on July 19 and AC Milan on August 1.
Birchall accepts he won't be LA Galaxy's most famous English right-sided midfielder. But he is looking forward to the chance to play alongside Beckham, who is on loan from Galaxy to AC Milan.
Birchall added: "He's at Milan until their season ends in June, then has two England qualifiers, then has a week's holiday.
"He's eligible to play for LA Galaxy from July 15, the same day I will be. It will be a privilege playing alongside him and, no, I don't think I will be compared to him.
"They have been playing him on the right and want me in the centre, so we won't be competing for a place!"
Beckham will be able to advise Birchall on bringing up a young family in Los Angeles.
Birchall's girlfriend Lucy had their first child three weeks ago, so there will be major upheaval for all concerned as they swap their pad in Newcastle for a place in LA.
Birchall added: "It is nice to be settled in England so it is a bit daunting leaving the country, but Lucy understands."
The midfielder knows the move will generate a little more publicity than his free transfer from Coventry to Brighton in January. But he is used to that, having played in the 2006 World Cup and become the first white man to play for Trinidad and Tobago for 60 years.
He's still proud to represent the country, where mum Jenny was born.
He said: "I walk down the street in Stoke and don't get noticed, but in Trinidad everyone wants to stop and talk. I'm not going to have any problem walking down the street in LA ... unless I'm with David Beckham."
