Global General

David Beckham buoys British troops in Afghanistan

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-24 16:24

British soccer player David Beckham is seen stroking a dog at the Theater Working Dog Unit during a visit to Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan in this May 23, 2010 handout photograph. [Agencies]

LONDON - Football star David Beckham is visiting the British troops in Afghanistan on Saturday to boost morale for the thousands of soldiers stationed there, the British Ministry of Defence said.

The British Forces' news service says the footballer accompanied troops on a flight from Oxfordshire to the British military base in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province.

The former England captain will meet hundreds of British and American troops, as well as medical staff and patients.

The 35-year-old Beckham is also expected to drum up support for England and its bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Beckham said Friday he has wanted to visit Afghanistan for a long time. He said he admired the troops and their work makes him "very proud to be British."