England's most celebrated soccer player, David Beckham, has announced that he will undertake his first major acting role in a film trilogy called 'Goal!'. Beckham will play himself and is scheduled to star in all three parts of the series. The part 'Becks' is to play will be that of an American born soccer player who signs a big contract to play with the British team Newcastle United.

The film 'Bend it Like Beckham' was an international hit in 2003 but while Beckham's name was in the title, theh Real Madrid midfielder made only a cameo appearance in the actual movie and had no speaking lines.

Beckham was excited about the project. He told 'Variety', 'It's no secret that I want to be involved in youth coaching when I finally hang up my boots, and I believe that the 'Goal' trilogy will provide a positive message to kids around the world.'

Danny Cannon is scheduled to direct the film. While Beckham may not be an Oscar winning actor, his presence in the film almost guarantees big box office in Europe and throughout the world except for the US where soccer is not considered a major spectator sport.