Beckham pleases fans in Rio

Rio de Janeiro, March 7 (IANS) Former England captain David Beckham posed for photographs and signed autographs with Brazilian fans after arriving in Rio de Janeiro for a promotional visit.

Beckham is expected to remain in Brazil until Sunday and his advisers were tight-lipped about the purpose of the trip, reported Xinhua.

According to media reports, the 38-year-old will be a VIP guest during Saturday's Parade of Champions at Rio's Sambadrome, marking the climax of the annual Carnival celebrations.

Beckham was shadowed by paparazzi who photographed him shirtless on his hotel balcony overlooking Ipanema beach in Rio's trendy south.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy midfielder was last month unveiled as the owner of a new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.