"We are looking at possibly two more (academies) in Asia next year or the year after," Beckham said during a news conference in Los Angeles to unveil plans for the California school.

Beckham did not go into details about his Asia plans but it is clear he has global aspirations for his football academies.

Asked what Asian countries they are targetting, his publicist Simon Oliveira would only say, "We are looking at the usual suspects" including China.

The 30-year-old Beckham launched plans for his Los Angeles academy at a standing room only news conference Thursday at the Home Depot Center.

The 150 million dollar stadium is located just 10 miles southeast of downtown, and with flashbulbs popping, the circus atmosphere was intensified by a swarm of Hollywood paparazzi in attendance.

Beckham, who played his first professional match in the US on Tuesday in England's 3-2 win over Colombia, is basking in the glow of his American fans.

"The popularity of me in America has not been as great as it is in other parts of the world but this time it seems to be different," Beckham said. "The positivity here has been incredible to me."

Lapping up the attention of the Hollywood paparazzi doesn't, however, necessarily mean he has his sights set on breaking into Tinseltown's movie industry.

"Hollywood, no. I am a soccer player at the moment," he said.

Beckham said he is investing over 500,000 US dollars of his own money into his soccer school here, and is paying for the tution of the first 300 children at 500 dollars each.

"The potential for soccer in the US is huge. It is a challenge for us," he said.

The launching of the Los Angeles academy is a joint venture between Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and Beckham's Footwork Productions Ltd.

The Real Madrid star and England's poster boy Beckham said has not ruled out playing in the United States.

"Playing in America does interest me a lot. In my career things happen. I never thought I would leave Manchester United. There is an opportunity to come to America, and I am thinking about it," Beckham said.

Asked if he would play for an English club again, he said, "I am happy in Real Madrid. I have a long-term contract there. I won't go to play in England again."

Beckham did express disappointment at not winning any trophies in the two years he has been with Real Madrid.

"I haven't won anything the last two years and that has never happened to me before," said Beckham, who signed a 25 million pound deal with Real Madrid in 2003.

AEG president Tim Leiweke is hoping their long-term marketing deal with Beckham Inc could one day entice England's favourite son to move Stateside.

"It would be great to have the world's most popular football player," said Leiweke, who is also backing Beckham's other academy on the Greenwich Peninsula in east London where AEG is building an arena and entertainment district.

"David has a long-term partnership with us and so to leave (Spain) would be up to him. We would love to have him in the future."