Birchall to join Beckham in LA
Chris Birchall
Chris Birchall played in the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago
Brighton's former Coventry and Port Vale midfielder Chris Birchall could be playing alongside David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy next season.
Birchall, 25, is training with the American team, with a view to signing a four-year contract in July.
The Trinidad and Tobago international told BBC Radio Stoke: "From what I'm hearing, Beckham will be back in July.
"Hopefully if the deal goes through, it would be a privilege to play with him and I can learn a lot from him."
Birchall added: "For Trinidad, and even for Coventry, I've played with some good older pros, and you can only learn off people like that.
"I heard off my agent that LA Galaxy had been watching me. Playing in games for Trinidad against America, Mexico and other South American teams, it's been a chance for them to scout me.
"The interest is still there, and hopefully it will eventually go through in July."
Birchall started his career with Vale, and shot to prominence when he starred for Trinidad and Tobago in their run to the 2006 World Cup in Germany - their first appearance on football's biggest stage.
He was born in Staffordshire, but was eligible to play for the Soca Warriors because his mother was born in the Caribbean country.
A move to Coventry followed immediately after the tournament, but he did not enjoy a successful spell at the Ricoh Arena, and subsequently was sent on loan to St. Mirren, Carlisle and Brighton.
There's got to be sacrifices, but looking at the bigger picture, it will be well worth it
Chris Birchall on moving to America
He moved to the Withdean Stadium on a deal until the end of the season in January and will be free to find another club during the summer.
"They say it's a glamorous place to live, and the lifestyle is so different to what I'm used to, but I'm going over for the football," said Birchall.
"The hardest thing about the move is that I've just had a newborn son, so having to leave them behind to make a future for them is something that I've got to do.
"In the long run, I think my partner and my little baby boy will come over in about September if the deal goes through in July.
"The time of the deal is the hardest time to accept it, but it's something that I can't turn down. There's got to be sacrifices, but looking at the bigger picture, it will be well worth it."
Beckham, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, is expected to return to LA Galaxy at the end of the Italian season in June.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8042385.stm