Beckham teammates 'touch bum for luck'

David Beckham opened his goalscoring account for new club AC Milan on Sunday and was rewarded by a number of pats on the bottom.

The former England captain scored the fourth goal in the club's 4-1 thrashing of Bologna and then had his bottom touched by star teammates Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo.

Italian newspapers carried photographs of the celebration and sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport said that Beckham's arrival has brought luck to the team, who are unbeaten since his transfer.

An club insider told the Daily Mail: "Everyone knows Beckham has a golden touch and he has proved that since he arrived.

"Italy is a superstitious country and people often touch things for luck - the players are doing the same with Beckham and touching his bottom because he is seen as a lucky mascot."

Milan striker Marco Borriello recently told The Sun that he had a "dressing room curiosity" about whether Beckham is as "equipped" as he appears in his Armani adverts.