David Beckham has arrived in Beijing to begin his new role as a special ambassador for Chinese football, according to reports.
During his four-day visit, he will attend league matches in China and help promote the game to children.
Chinese football is plagued by corruption and match-fixing. Television viewing figures for foreign leagues far outnumber those for the tarnished domestic league, while the national side failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
Last month, Beckham, 37, said he was “excited by the prospect of promoting the world’s greatest game to Chinese sports fans”.
The former England captain will combine the role with playing for his club Paris Saint Germain.
In February, China’s football association banned 33 players and officials for life after a three-year probe into match-fixing.
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