The former England captain, who quits Real Madrid in June, has signed a five-year contract with Galaxy that could see him collect around $312 million including lucrative sponsorship deals.

Beckham, who joined Real Madrid in July 2003 for $62 million from Manchester United, lost his England place when former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson left after last year's World Cup and was replaced by his assistant, Steve McClaren.

While Beckham prepares for his Galaxy debut around early July, there are players earning $16,250 and $22,000 a year. All are young Americans just starting their professional careers, according to figures released by the MLS Players Association.

Mexican striker Cuauhtémoc Blanco of Chicago Fire is second only to Beckham with a base salary of almost $3 million and guaranteed compensation of more than $3 million.

Red Bulls midfielder Claudio Reyna, who played in Europe for more than a decade, has a base salary of $1.2 million and guaranteed compensation of $1.5 million.

The Red Bulls' other star signing, former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel will make $1.7 million in base pay and $1.8 million guaranteed.

Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan is set to pick up $1 million in base pay and guaranteed, Kansas City striker Eddie Johnson will make $850,000 in base pay ($950,000 guaranteed) and Freddy Adu, sold by DC United to Real Salt Lake, will make $400,000 guaranteed and up to $700,000.