Captain Becks signs off …

A tearful Beckham read from a statement in front of a crowded news conference in England’s training camp in southern Germany, stressing that he wanted to continue playing for England.

“On November 15, 2000, Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me captain of England and fulfilling my childhood dream,” Beckham said. “Now almost six years later, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under Steve McClaren.”Beckham wrote the statement late last night.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard or Chelsea defender John Terry are the most likely to take over from Beckham as captain. Both are captains for their Premier League clubs.

Beckham has been captain for 58 of 94 England caps. He said he had decided “some time ago” to quit as captain after this World Cup, his third. “This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date,” he said. “But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me, I feel the time is right.”

McClaren takes over as England coach from Sven-Goran Eriksson in August. “It has been an honor and a privilege to have captained our country and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can.”

Beckham walked out immediately after reading his statement, getting loud applause. Beckham’s first World Cup in 1998 was marked by his red card against Argentina in the second round. That game went to penalties and England lost.

In 2002, Beckham broke a bone in his foot in the leadup to the World Cup. He played every match but wasn’t fully fit and England lost to Brazil in the quarter-finals. Beckham said the squad was devastated after another quarter-final exit in Germany.

“Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to progress further and both myself and all the players regret that and are hurt by that more than people realize,” he said.

First capped at age 21 by Glenn Hoddle against Moldova in September 1996, Beckham was named England’s captain for the first time by caretaker-coach Taylor for a friendly in Italy. He took over the captaincy on a permanent basis from Alan Shearer, who retired after the 2000 European Championships.

“I have lived the dream, I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that, I will always be grateful,” Beckham said.

–KRYSTYNA RUDZKI