Australian side Perth Glory end pursuit of David Beckham

Former England captain is yet to find a new club

David Beckham: 'The foundations are there now in this league. It will continue to grow' (Getty Images)

Perth Glory owner Tony Sage has given up hope of luring David Beckham to Australia following a chance meeting with the former England captain in London this week.

Sage bumped into Beckham at the premier of the Spice Girls-inspired stage show 'Viva Forever' at London's O2 Arena and revealed he had been rebuffed when asked if a move Down Under was possible.

"I got the chance to chat to David, and of course I asked him about coming to Australia," Sage, who was a guest of Spice Girl Mel B, told footballaustralia.com.au.

"He looked me in the eye and basically said, 'That would be nice, but it's too far away from my businesses'.

"It would have been great to have him at Perth Glory, but it looks like that won't be happening. I just don't think he'll be coming to Australia, full stop."

Beckham is looking for a new club after calling time on his five-year stay with the Los Angeles Galaxy last month.

Beckham's announcement came days after the Football Federation of Australia claimed it was in talks with the 37-year-old's representatives about the possibility of him signing a short-term deal to play in the A-League.

Despite those claims being almost immediately rubbished by Beckham and his agent, Sage and a number of Australian clubs had retained an interest in trying to sign the veteran midfielder.

PA