Beckham's High Hopes Over Miami League Talks

David Beckham has moved a step closer to realising his dream of bringing football to Miami.

The former England captain announced plans 18 months ago for a Major League Soccer franchise in the Florida metropolis.

But negotiations over where the team will play its home games prompted questions about whether the project would ever kick-off.

Now the star's group, known as Miami Beckham United, has requested formal discussions with the city's mayor after agreeing to build on a patch of land next to the Marlins Park baseball stadium.

The football legend and his backers are confident the team can be up and running by the start of the 2018 season.

Brian Corey, vice-president of the Southern Region MLS supporters group, told Sky News: "We have 500 paid members and the team doesn't even exist yet. We have 15,000 people following us. Everyone is very enthusiastic to see it starting."

But the troubled history of Marlins Park, which sits in the area known as Little Havana, explains why it has been such a battle for Beckham.

Miami taxpayers were furious at being landed with the bill for the project and, although Team Beckham has insisted they will ask for no public money, locals are wary.

Raquel Regalado, a radio host who is running to be mayor of Miami, told Sky News: "Everybody does love Beckham but the question is: Has Beckham come to build a stadium and buy a team to then sell it and disappear or is Beckham really staying in Miami?

"That's the question most people have, given what happened with the Marlins."

Over the years, plenty have tried and failed to make football work in Miami.

With its huge Latino population and proximity to South America, there is a ready-made audience.

Beckham's former AC Milan teammate Paolo Maldini has even stolen a march on him by setting up a franchise in the second-tier North American Soccer League.

MLS has demanded that Beckham have a downtown stadium before giving the project the green-light.

It remains to be seen whether football bosses will be happy with the Marlins Park option.

The venture involves Beckham, his business partner Simon Fuller and Bolivian tycoon Marcelo Claure.

In a statement, the group said: "David, Marcelo and Simon are thrilled by the initial outpouring of support we've received from our fans and we're excited about sharing our plans with the City, County and community soon."

Fans in Miami are thrilled by the prospect of Beckham's arrival.

One student told Sky News: "When he came here for a meeting, girls from our school soccer team went nuts, and went to where he was and were like 'Oh my God, it is David Beckham."