He was told the news he had been chosen on the veterans’ ballot at an MLS board of governors’ meeting on Thursday and said his time in the US has been “an incredible journey”.

Beckham, who had two loan spells with AC Milan in 2009 and 2010 while at Galaxy, added: “I’m looking to build this league and this sport in this great country for a long time.”

Meanwhile, former US internationals Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz have also been voted into the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

Ballon d’Or winner Rapinoe, 41, and midfielder Ertz, 34, lifted the Women’s World Cup twice with with the US in 2015 and 2019.

“To be alongside all the greatest players that have played for us, and played for our country alongside a bunch of my team-mates and friends, recognised like that in this way just means you were successful and a part of great teams,” Rapinoe wrote on Instagram.