David Beckham joins AC Milan

Wow. Sometimes football can really surprise you, and today is one of those days.

I've been hearing whispers and rumours that David Beckham would make the most of the Major League Soccer off-season by dragging himself back to Europe. Over the last two days, rumours have strengthened that he'd be heading for Italy and Serie A.

And yet today's announcement, spotted here at BBC Sport, surprised me. He's only gone and done it - David Beckham is joining AC Milan on a six-month loan in January. The MLS season ends this weekend.

The move means that Beckham, who is contracted to Los Angeles Galaxy through the MLS, will have played in Europe's top three leagues. He made his name at Manchester United in England before joining Real Madrid.

I'm sure Beckham will get plenty of criticism for this move, but I think it's a great deal all round (except for Galaxy and MLS).

It's not unlike the transfer of Ronaldinho to the San Siro this summer. Milan will do fantastic business in merchandising - it's money for nothing, really - and will have six months' service from the best dead ball operator on the planet. The player completes a hat-trick of world class clubs, plays alongside Ronaldinho, Kaka and Pato, and gets six months' use of the famous Milan Lab.

Beckham, 33, is heading for exactly the right club to add another three or four seasons to his career. The Milan Lab is credited with the astonishing longevity of Paolo Maldini et al, and by their standards Beckham is positively wet behind the ears.

I can't wait to see Milan get Beckham back to his best - in a league where pace isn't the most vital attribute, they might just manage it. What do you think?

(Photo Credit: Babble.com)