Former England captain David Beckham has reportedly edged closer to officially launching his Miami-based Major League Soccer franchise.
A MLS press release has claimed that "an important announcement on the future of soccer in Miami will be made" at a press conference, which will take place in the city's Adrienne Arsht Center.
In addition to Beckham and MLS commissioner Don Garber, the event will be attended by Beckham partners Marcelo Claure, Jorge Mas, Jose Mas, Masayoshi Son and Simon Fuller, as well as Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
While the MLS has not formally revealed the reason for the press conference, the Miami Herald reported earlier in January that Beckham's ownership group had been given final approval as the league's next expansion side.
The Florida city has long been identified as a potential MLS expansion area but the Beckham-backed venture to take a team there has been beset by years of difficulties over the location of a possible new stadium.
Beckham, who won 115 England caps and also starred for the likes of Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, had an option to purchase an MLS expansion franchise included in his contract when he joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
Giuseppe Labellarte
