Some American youngsters will have a chance to learn to "Bend It Like Beckham."

European soccer superstar David Beckham will be a partner in a soccer academy scheduled to open at the Home Depot Center this fall.

Beckham joined Simon Fuller, the creator of television's "American Idol," and Anschutz Entertainment Group president and chief executive Tim Leiweke on Thursday to unveil plans for the David Beckham Academy in the Los Angeles suburb.

The same group earlier announced an academy in London, part of an arena and entertainment district AEG is building.

"I've opened one in London and I'm opening one in L.A.," Beckham told AP Television News. "It's about kids coming down, getting off the streets, having fun. If we find great new talent, then that's good. But the most important thing, the kids coming down, they're learning about football, they're learning about their body and injuries that you can get.

"And, also, they're having fun."

Asked if he might move to the United States at some point, Beckham said, "Yeah, I think it's always a possibility. In my career, things have happened and situations have happened and I never, ever thought that I'd be playing anywhere apart from England. But I'm playing in Spain now, and there is an opportunity to come to America, and I am thinking about it, definitely."

The 30-year-old Beckham recalled that as a youth, he attended the Bobby Charlton Soccer School, with dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. He said he's pleased now to be able to give youngsters the same chances he had.

The academy initially will focus on youngsters 8 to 15 years old, with the opening set for November.

Beckham, a standout for England and longtime member of Manchester United, was acquired by Real Madrid in 2003. A super celebrity in Europe, his name was in the title of a movie, "Bend It Like Beckham."

Fuller said he was happy to help launch the academy, saying Beckham is a global sports hero.

"The David Beckham Academy will lay the foundation for many young Americans to learn and be inspired by one of soccer's most respected stars. We are hoping that this venture will continue to grow soccer as a recreational and competitive sport here in the United States," Fuller said in a statement.

Beckham and Eric Harrison have developed the academy's training program. Harrison formerly was a youth team coach at Manchester United for 18 years.

"Obviously me putting my name to the academy, it's about me putting my own money because this is a project that I actually believe in," Beckham said. "And it's a project that I want to put back into football because I realize what I've got out of football myself and I've got in my life.

"To put something back into it is special for me."