CARSON, California (CMC):

Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is set to become a teammate of world famous England international, David Beckham, after signing with the US Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles Galaxy.

The LA Galaxy said in a website story on Wednesday it had signed Ricketts on Tuesday and that the 31-year-old will officially be added to the Galaxy's roster, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Clearance (ITC).

"I have known Donovan for a number of years as a goalkeeper with the Jamaican National Team and have always been impressed with his physical qualities," LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said.

Ricketts will join Beckham as one of the internationals in the LA Galaxy set-up. Beckham is currently with Italian Serie A club Milan on a two-month loan and is expected to return for the 2009 MLS season, starting in March.

Arena, who is also the Galaxy's general manager, travelled to Jamaica to watch the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championship Finals this month and was encouraged by the displays of the 6-foot-4-inch goalkeeper.

"After a closer examination of the player, I am absolutely amazed with his abilities both on and off the field," Arena said.

Ricketts was part of the roster of the historic Jamaican squad that appeared at the 1998 World Cup Finals in France and has been the top choice 'keeper for the Reggae Boyz since then.

Narrowly Missed out

Despite recording three consecutive shut-outs at the end of their qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010, including one in a 1-0 win over Mexico in Kingston, Jamaica on October 10, Ricketts and the Reggae Boyz narrowly missed out on advancing to the final stages of the CONCACAF qualifiers, losing out to Mexico on goal difference.

He helped lead Jamaica to the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cham-pionships where they played undefeated and beat Grenada 2-0 in the final. He conceded only two goals in five matches.

After playing locally with Wadadah and Village United, he moved in January 2004 to England, signing with Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League.

Ricketts never played a game for Bolton and in July 2004 was signed on loan by League Two side Bradford City, who then signed him on a permanent basis at the end of that season. He played 115 games for Bradford before returning to Jamaica to again sign with Village United this summer.

Arena is looking for Ricketts to boost the goalkeeping position at LA.

"It is also a position that we felt the need to improve and believe that he will be a great addition to our team and has the potential to be one of the best goalkeepers in MLS," said Arena, a former US head coach.