TASMANIAN soccer export David Clarkson says news of David Beckham's desire to play in the A-League could revolutionise the sport in Australia.
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Hobart-born Clarkson played against the Manchester United superstar when South Melbourne qualified for the world club championships in Brazil in 2000 and warmly welcomed the idea of him joining the glamorous cast gracing Australia's domestic competition.
``It would be huge by itself but on the back of what else is going on in the A-League with players like (Alessandro) Del Piero and (Emile) Heskey it's massive,'' Clarkson said.
``People might look at guys like this and think they are getting on a bit but this is someone in the top 10 players of all time and to think he could be playing here is really exciting.
``The exposure would be great. They are now showing the A-League in Italy just because Del Piero plays here - they probably hadn't even heard of the A-League before that - and just look at what Beckham has done for Major League Soccer in the US.''
The 37-year-old former England and Real Madrid midfielder is reportedly being offered around to several clubs with the possibility of joining on a 10-game guest stint when his MLS commitments with LA Galaxy end next month.
The move is subject to financial backing by Football Federation Australia, with new boss David Gallop needing to decide whether to bankroll a player who earns $3.9m a season in America.
Big city clubs like Sydney FC, Western Sydney and Melbourne Heart are considered his most likely destinations.