A FOOTBALL club has invited global icon David Beckham to join its team after learning he may be moving into a £5m Cotswold barn nearby.

It is understood the Beckhams have bought a nine-bedroom barn conversion close to exclusive members’ club Soho Farmhouse in Great Tew.

Football clubs in neighbouring Chipping Norton have described the news as an ‘exciting prospect’ for players and invited David and his family to come and show their support to the teams.

David, 41, and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, currently live in London’s Holland Park with children Brooklyn, 17, Romeo, 14, Cruz, 11, and five-year-old Harper.

The property in Great Tew, which is on the road leading to Soho Farmhouse, reportedly comprises three barns joined by connecting buildings. It is surrounded by fields and has its own croquet lawn.

It looks set to boast a triple garage, two large courtyards with a water feature. The surrounding two acres contains an apple orchard.

Treasurer at Chipping Norton Town FC Adam Hunt and treasurer for Chipping Norton Swifts FC, the town’s youth club, Martyn Clements, said in a joint statement: “Both clubs would like to welcome David Beckham and his family to Chipping Norton and the surrounding areas.

“The arrival of such a footballing icon and legend like David Beckham on the doorstep of Chipping Norton Football clubs would be an exciting prospect. Whilst some of the younger age groups of the Swifts may not know who he is, plenty of the older age groups, senior men’s players, parents, supporters and spectators certainly will.

“Our men’s teams are always looking for new players and would of course welcome David if ever he wanted to come along and have kick about and support his new local teams.

“David and Victoria’s children would of course also be more than welcome to pop along and join the Swifts on their continuing footballing journey.

“The Swifts’ annual awards day is planned for the June 18 and should David and his family be at a loose end, they would be welcome to come and see our growing football club that currently provides regular football for over 80 local children, with further expansion due next year.”

The new home is not far from one of David’s favourite chip shops, Barton Chippy, in Underhill Circus. He posed in front of the shop in an edition of GQ magazine last April.

Chipping Norton mayor Mike Tysoe said: “We’re a very welcoming area and David Beckham would be extremely welcome in Chipping Norton.

“We have a very good cross section of community and all sorts of different people, and if the Beckhams want to live here they’re very welcome.”

The Oxford Mail contacted David Beckham’s management company XIX for comment but did not receive a response.