It has been a tortuous eight-year process, but David Beckham's long awaited MLS franchise is finally close to joining the American league and playing some games.
Inter Miami will join the MLS as an expansion team for the 2020 season, with Beckham front and centre as one of the owners, and the public face of the team.
However, several issues still need to be resolved with Inter Miami - full name Club Internacional de Futbol Miami - before they can finally take to the field in a competitive fixture. Sportsmail takes a look at the story so far...
Ownership
As part of his deal to sign for LA Galaxy back in 2007, Beckham negotiated an option to own an MLS franchise for a discounted fee of $25million once his playing days finished.
The wheels were finally set in motion in 2013 when he confirmed he would set up shop in Florida, under the rather unwieldy working title of 'Miami Beckham United.' However, the name of Inter Miami was later settled upon - with the club in its current guise officially founded on January 28, 2018.
Beckham is one of six owners of Inter Miami - other investors are Simon Fuller, who formerly managed the Spice Girls (featuring Beckham's wife Victoria); Bolivian billionaire Marcelo Claure; Florida businessmen Jorge and Jose Mas; and Japanese banking chief executive Masayoshi Son.
Badge
Among the other working titles for the team were 'Miami Vice', 'Miami Current', and 'Miami Fusion', the former MLS franchise based in the city who folded in 2002.
However, Inter Miami was settled upon, and with the crest and team colours unveiled in September 2018. The team will play in eye catching black and pink.
The crest - designed around the art deco style which features heavily in Miami's architecture - features two interlocked herons, the giant birds being native to Florida. Around the edge is the club's full name and the roman numerals 'MMXX', meaning 2020, the year Inter will finally enter MLS.
Stadium plans
Perhaps the most drawn out aspect of Inter Miami's extended birth has been the debate over where they will play their home fixtures.
Beckham and the ownership group are aiming to build a 25,000-seat stadium at Miami Freedom Park, but planning obstacles and an expensive clear-up of toxic waste means a new ground will not be ready for the team's debut in 2020.
Instead, the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale - which will be the home of the club's academy and a £45million training complex - will act as the side's temporary home.
The Lockhart Stadium, where Miami Fusion played for its fleeting five-year existence, is horribly rundown, covered in weeds, graffiti and rust - but Beckham visited the site recently and is confident of getting it into good shape in time for 2020.
Other sites previously considered included Dodge Island, Museum Park, Little Havana and Overtown, before Freedom Park was finally secured.
Players
Miami will put together their squad later this year, operating under MLS' strict salary cap which prevents the richest teams unbalancing the league by splashing their cash too readily.
However, teams are allowed to sign three 'designated players' - stars who they can pay wages beyond the cap in order to provide extra glamour to the league.
Beckham was the first man ever signed under the designated player rule - in fact, it was brought in for his benefit - and the former England captain is not thinking small when it comes to who he wants for Miami.
'Everyone has their wish list, everyone does, but if you look at the way Leo [Messi] and Cristiano [Ronaldo] are still playing, even at what you might think is the later stage of their careers, I don't see it ending for them,' said Beckham.
Messi will be 32 in 2020 - with a year left on his Barcelona contract - while Ronaldo will be 35. A final hurrah in the USA perhaps should not be ruled out for either.
Cost
Despite the 'cheap' franchise fee of $25m Beckham shelled out, the costs are ever growing for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star.
In order to build the stadium on Freedom Park - which was public land - the club have to pay $20m in annual installments 30 years towards green spaces across the city.
There is also a need to clean up contaminated soil on the Freedom Park site, which could cost around $35m, while reports from Miami suggest annual rent could cost around $3.5m a year for the land.
In total, to build the complete complex of stadium, 750-room hotel, office, retail and commercial spaces, Inter Miami is already a $1billion club - and that's before you have to pay the players and find a manager.
This is something Beckham has been invested in for over a decade, however - and he and his partners appear to have nearly bottomless pockets.
What happens in 2020?
Inter Miami will be one of two clubs who join the MLS party in 2020, along with Nashville SC, taking the number of clubs in the league to 26.
They will play in the Eastern Conference, taking on opponents from Montreal to Philadelphia, New York to their soon to be state rivals, Orlando City.
Beckham's aim will no doubt be to emulate current MLS champions Atlanta United, who triumphed just two seasons after entering as an expansion franchise.
Grabiboulga
0
Cr7 is going to join them soon as he is declining.
Mayas7
0
I hate international breaks.
i hate it more
Mayas7
0
if man city and psg were a human then they would be beckham.
Salemo
0
Cristiano and Messi in one team, the whole world is going to follow that team and league. I hope this happens in near future.
JakeM99
0
Bro the USA has no official language. Secondly, it sounds better than “Nashville soccer club”. Tell me, what sounds better? Club Internacional de Miami, or Miami FC? Third, Beckham wants to bring in international players like Messi and Ronaldo Use your mind next time before commenting
The language of the USA is English
hamayounshirzai
1
I hope that Messi and Ronaldo play together in one team.
jaranda_568
0
While I wish David Beckham all the best with his new football team. I don¿t understand the decision to use a Spanish name for his football club.? In the United States of America we speak English. Maybe he did it to attract the Hispanic community that live in and around Miami. I wish them all the best .
Bro the USA has no official language. Secondly, it sounds better than “Nashville soccer club”. Tell me, what sounds better? Club Internacional de Miami, or Miami FC? Third, Beckham wants to bring in international players like Messi and Ronaldo Use your mind next time before commenting
deebashbhandari
2
Just how handsome is he ??❤❤❤❤
Nauaisu
0
The Salt Lake City team uses Real in its name, using Inter has something behind it, sorta, in the US, but that doesn’t. MLS is also likely trying to up its world prestige
You do realize the effect the name is for the benefit of the club. Giving the club a global reputation when you add "Inter" which means INTERNATIONAL to it. Global Packaging. Global Acceptance. It would be easier to attract with Beckham as the face & years down the line. International Club of Miami or Internacional Club de Miami..... Becks is thinking of 10/20/30 years down the line how that name's gonna sound. Sharp!!!
noaaiksy
0
I would never follow a pink team.
homophobic much buddy?? I'm thinking you been thinking of packing some butt😂😂😂
noaaiksy
0
This circus has no ringmaster...just a clown !
I'm assuming your speaking of yourself an this website? yeah I think so!!
noaaiksy
0
People need to realise this creates jobs for people, cleaning, maintaining, food services etc. Investment is good.
excellent point...but most people don't see that aspect of business. especially morons on this website😂😂
noaaiksy
0
guess in that miami sun he will have to change his peaky blinders one to a baseball cap to cover his thinning thatch !
jealous much?? yup .
specialmadrid
3
just buy both CR7 and LM10
specialmadrid
0
Say what you want about Becks, he has done so much for football in my country! Goodluck with your Miami team David
true
specialmadrid
0
I hate international breaks.
I hate it more
cawipt
0
He will bring top of the line player to win titles thats it
FGLFan52
0
While I wish David Beckham all the best with his new football team. I don¿t understand the decision to use a Spanish name for his football club.? In the United States of America we speak English. Maybe he did it to attract the Hispanic community that live in and around Miami. I wish them all the best .
The Salt Lake City team uses Real in its name, using Inter has something behind it, sorta, in the US, but that doesn’t. MLS is also likely trying to up its world prestige
obaidblsh
1
Good lucky
basically
0
Whatever people say, he¿s managed to form a pretty successful life after playing...
criticism
15
While I wish David Beckham all the best with his new football team. I don¿t understand the decision to use a Spanish name for his football club.? In the United States of America we speak English. Maybe he did it to attract the Hispanic community that live in and around Miami. I wish them all the best .
CEO222
1
I can't imagine Messi or Ronaldo going to the US until they're 40. They'll still be a huge draw though, would take the game out there to yet another level.
ewerkea
12
F488, who on earth would want to wake up next to THAT, every morning? And he looks like a chimney sweep, yet to have a bath or shower.
oiiopps
0
Where's he going to put his statue.
educatione
11
Might be great to have speedway racing round the outside too! They can do various races including steering whilst on the mobile! Guess who will win that one?!
kitchen
1
My Union will terrorize David and Inter Miami for the next decade
Bostons
0
Looks like the Lockhart stadium was part of the last US football revolution
xiamain
1
I hate international breaks.
greece
0
'Inter Miami' ? (gufaw, gufaw, snigger). My money's on 'Red Star Orlando' for 2020 with an outside chance of either 'Tallahassee Saint Germain' or 'Real Atletico Fort Lauderdale Hotspurs' lifting the trophy.
Jonathansly
10
Any old excuse to get as far away as possible from miserable old skinny spice in london !
Kennello
0
guess in that miami sun he will have to change his peaky blinders one to a baseball cap to cover his thinning thatch !
heredity
1
Will he have a statue of himself outside this stadium too?
blackhappy
0
$ 1 billion dream ? he is actually just the front man & hardly putting any money in !
Guevara03
0
whatever happen to the Steptoe and Son image......
vamosl
0
Its not his Franchise...its one he is associated with...BIG difference
Sancheknight
0
Any excuse to get away from old skinny spice & continue his 'affairs' in miami !
pinkmans
0
Good luck to him, when you see how well Atlanta have done up the road and the amount of fans they get at games, got huge potential
Mutable
0
People need to realise this creates jobs for people, cleaning, maintaining, food services etc. Investment is good.
John008
0
Surely he could have come up with a better name than Inter Miami?
wedding
0
This circus has no ringmaster...just a clown !
Barbara31
0
I will go watch.
opldmkk
0
Good luck to him. Big thing to pull off though.
zhaon
0
I would never follow a pink team.
ambulance
0
He would have done well in silent films.
Julylove
0
Good on Becks. Finished his playing days and surged ahead with new enterprises. Other famous ex players found it hard to carry on and turned to booze, drugs. Wish him every success .
LoveRM7
12
Say what you want about Becks, he has done so much for football in my country! Goodluck with your Miami team David
ICON_cr7
1
soon Galaxy 11 will become a reality with Messi and CR7 upfront, just can't wait
VanishPrasad
4
All he wants is to play both Messi and Ronaldo in his team