SYDNEY, Oct 20, 2010 (AFP) - Football megastar David Beckham will play a one-off exhibition match with LA Galaxy against Australia's Newcastle Jets next month in a major coup for the club, officials said on Wednesday.
The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, one of the world's top-earning sportsmen, will headline the November 27 fixture at the Jets' modest 26,000-capacity stadium north of Sydney.
"This is fantastic news for football fans and for tourism in the Hunter (Valley)," said the region's state MP, Jodi McKay.
"The phenomenal global interest in David Beckham, World Cup hero Landon Donovan and the LA Galaxy team means Newcastle and the Jets will be in the spotlight for sports enthusiasts from around the world."
The ambitious bid was revealed on Tuesday, just days after the former A-League champions were rescued from financial ruin by youthful coal tycoon Nathan Tinkler, 34.
Newcastle, the world's biggest coal port, also lies in the scenic Hunter Valley region known for its wineries.
