Real Madrid's David Beckham is to play his first major movie role in Goal!, a trilogy of movies following a football player from Los Angeles who moves to Britain to play for Newcastle United.

Beckham will have the challenging task of playing himself in all three movies, and will be joined by his colleagues Zinedine Zidane and Raul.

"It's no secret that I want to be involved in youth coaching when I finally hang up my boots, and I believe that the Goal! trilogy will provide a positive message to kids around the world," Beckham told Variety.

The $100 million project will be directed by Danny Cannon.