PARIS: Former England captain David Beckham on Thursday signed for Paris Saint-Germain in a five-month deal, fuelling hopes of a celebrity boost for French football as it faces up to an exodus of top players.

The 37-year-old midfielder - one of the world’s most recognisable sportsmen with a pop star wife and an estimated net worth of £190 million pounds ($300 million, 220 million euros) - has been without a club since leaving Los Angeles Galaxy last year.

But after a day of fevered speculation, the ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan star was unveiled by the French league leaders at a packed news conference after a routine medical at a city hospital.

Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told reporters he was delighted to have secured Beckham’s services until June 30 while the player himself said he was “excited and honoured” to be part of PSG’s plans to develop into a major European force.