DAVID BECKHAM went through such agony over his decision to move to Los Angeles that he wept tears of despair, the News of the World can reveal.
Goldenballs was desperate to stay in top flight football in Europe.
But he was persuaded to go to America by wife Victoria, who convinced him it would mean a better life for them and their three boys.
Our source revealed: "David has been crying about leaving Real and leaving his career behind as he has known it.
"He said he's had to put eye packs on his eyes to reduce the swelling over the past few weeks. But now that he has finally come to terms with the fact that he's going, and that he feels it's the best thing for his family, he is getting excited."
Beckham's staggering £128million move to the LA Galaxy team was meant to happen in August, after his contract at Madrid runs out.
But Madrid boss Fabio Capello ruled Beckham would never play for the club again.
BECKS WAR - Furious Real kick him out
That means Galaxy may now try to take Beckham to LA as early as April, when their season starts.
As Capello spoke, a bra-less Victoria was boarding a Heathrow flight to LA to hunt for houses. A friend said: "As far as she's concerned, the move can't come soon enough."
Beckham had wanted a return to the Premiership if a new deal with Real did not happen.
But Victoria feared the former England hero would be humiliated, asking: "Can you really see us in Bolton?" A close pal of the couple revealed: "David wanted desperately to get back into the England team and the Premiership.
"But Victoria convinced him it would be better for their boys, their security and future to go to Los Angeles. His decision was swung by the fact his sons will have a better life."
We can reveal Becks' move has been a done deal since September.
Eldest son Brooklyn, seven, is already enrolled at the highly-regarded Brentwood private day school in Bel-Air and will start at the end of August. Applications for new pupils had to be submitted last October.
The school has 250 applicants for each of its 45 places in Brooklyn's year, charging £10,950 a year rising to £12,810 a year from the seventh grade.
The source said: "Victoria says the school is wonderful and will be perfect."
Son Romeo, four, is too young for US schools while Cruz is just a year old.
The Beckhams' move has been supported every step of the way by best pals Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes.
Becks, 31, has been friends with Cruise since 2003 when he invited the actor to watch him play for Madrid after his move from Man United. He admits spending hours on the phone to Cruise discussing the move.
The Cruises, both followers of the weirdo Scientology religion, have already arranged a summer party packed with A-list stars in the Beckhams' honour. Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Lopez are said to be on the guest list.
Katie has helped Posh sort out everything from security to home help and even which charities to support.
The Beckhams' six-strong security team includes at least one practising Scientologist, a female bodyguard who has previously looked after Katie and, before that, Tom's ex Nicole Kidman.
Katie has already arranged a maid from a Spanish-speaking country in Central America. The source said: "David is keen not to lose all the Spanish he has learned and wants Brooklyn to keep up his Spanish too."
Katie has also told Victoria the "correct" good cause to support in Hollywood circles, the St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, similar to the UK's Great Ormond Street.
Victoria, 32, is said to be hunting for an eight-bedroom home in Beverly Hills. Our source said: "She wants one with indoor and outdoor pools and a gym."
Amid all her excitement, Victoria has been warned that she will have to "hold onto her husband."
The source said: "LA is full of the world's most beautiful, slim and sexy young girls and she knows David has a roving eye.
"She's told him she will be watching him but David just laughs and tells her she's more beautiful than any of the girls in LA."
