David Beckham paid tribute to his LA Galaxy "family" and thanked Los Angeles for embracing him at the unveiling of his statue before the MLS club's season-opener on Saturday.

The statue, a first for an MLS player, honours the former England captain who was the first big European name to join the league, boosting its popularity and paving the way for other global stars to make the leap.

Beckham won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012 during his six years and 98 appearances with the Galaxy.

"Our city, our home," Beckham said outside the Galaxy's home stadium, the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, before their game against the Chicago Fire.

"From day one when my family arrived in this city, we felt at home and for that we will be forever grateful.

David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner Show all 12 1 /12 David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford David Beckham poses with the team mascot Babs before the Vanarama National League match at the Peninsula Stadium, Salford. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Salford. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Martin Rickett PA David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford Phil Neville, Harvey Neville, Romeo Beckham and David Beckham (left-right) before the Vanarama National League match at the Peninsula Stadium, Salford. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Salford. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Martin Rickett PA David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford SALFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Salford City Co-Owner David Beckham takes a look around the pitch prior to the Vanarama National League match between Salford City and Dover Athletic at Peninsula Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Jan Kruger Getty Images David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford SALFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Phil Neville, England Women's manager and Salford City Co-Owner takes a selfie photograph with Salford City Co-Owner David Beckham, Romeo James Beckham and two fans prior to the Vanarama National League match between Salford City and Dover Athletic at Peninsula Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Jan Kruger Getty Images David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford David Beckham arrives at the ground for the Vanarama National League match at the Peninsula Stadium, Salford. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Salford. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Martin Rickett PA David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford David Beckham poses for a selfie with a fan before the Vanarama National League match at the Peninsula Stadium, Salford. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Salford. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Martin Rickett PA David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford David Beckham poses for a selfie with a fan before the Vanarama National League match at the Peninsula Stadium, Salford. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Salford. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Martin Rickett PA David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford SALFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Salford City Co-Owner David Beckham poses for photos with fans as he arrives at the stadium prior to the Vanarama National League match between Salford City and Dover Athletic at Peninsula Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Jan Kruger Getty Images David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford SALFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: David Beckham, Salford City co-owner poses for photos with fans prior to the Vanarama National League match between Salford City and Dover Athletic at Peninsula Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Jan Kruger Getty Images David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford SALFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: David Beckham, Salford City co-owner signs autographs for fans prior to the Vanarama National League match between Salford City and Dover Athletic at Peninsula Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Jan Kruger Getty Images David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford SALFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Salford City Co-Owner David Beckham looks on prior to the Vanarama National League match between Salford City and Dover Athletic at Peninsula Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Jan Kruger Getty Images David Beckham watches first Salford game as co-owner David Beckham at Salford David Beckham watches the game between Salford City and Dover Athletic with son Romeo, during the Vanarama National League match at the Peninsula Stadium, Salford. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 16, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Salford. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Martin Rickett PA

"When I talk about LA Galaxy and when I talk about LA, I talk about it as family because it is a big family."

The statue unveiling came a day after Beckham helped open a soccer field for underprivileged youth in downtown Los Angeles.

"Taking care of the next generation of soccer stars in this country is really important and we did it in a community that really needed support and a safe environment for children," added 43-year-old Beckham, with his parents and wife Victoria among the audience.

Beckham's statue was unveiled in LA (USA TODAY Sports)

Former Galaxy team mate Robbie Keane paid tribute to Beckham as a loyal friend and family man.