David Beckham gives £8m home to in-laws

They get keys to villa

By Dan Wootton

BIG-HEARTED David Beckham is gifting his £8million Dubai mansion to wife Victoria's parents.

The England soccer star has handed the keys to the waterfront villa—set on an exclusive palm-shaped artificial island—to delighted in-laws Tony and Jackie Adams.

Becks bought the property in 2002 for £800,000. But since then its value has rocketed as Dubai has taken off as a holiday destination.

Although he and Posh will still own the mansion, they have told Tony, 61, and Jackie, 59, to decorate it to their liking—and are allowing them to spend as much time as they want in the stunning home.

Family

A source close to the 32-year-old player, who is now with American side LA Galaxy, revealed: "David realised he was not going to be able to spend any time in Dubai.

"He's got his commitments in Los Angeles and it's a long trip, especially when he still has to spend a lot of time in London.

"So he discussed it with Victoria and decided that the Dubai place would be a really special present for her parents. They've done so much for the family already and are involved in all of David and Victoria's ventures anyway.

"He trusts them completely and knows the property will be in very safe hands. He still retains legal ownership, but on a day-to-day basis it's to become their place.

"He's a practical guy and thinks there's no reason to have an amazing house sitting empty.

"David and Victoria have told them they might visit once or twice a year for some family time, although at the moment that seems quite unlikely because they're so busy."

The gift could be viewed as a snub to David's divorced parents, Ted and Sandra, who have had a more rocky relationship with the couple in recent years.

But the Beckham insider said: "All of David's family will be allowed access to the house if they want it. They'd just have to sort out a time with Tony and Jackie.

"David is a family man. He loves his parents and he'd never want to cut them out."

Becks purchased the luxury home within the prestigious Palm Jumeirah estate after a visit to the Gulf state before the 2002 World Cup.

A number of other England stars—including David's best friend Gary Neville, Michael Owen, David James and Joe Cole—have also bought properties on the development.