England midfielder David Beckham will return to AC Milan on loan in January after the Italian club reached an agreement with Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday. The 34-year-old played for Milan for six months from January 2009, scoring two goals in 18 matches in a successful bid to keep his place in the England team.

Negotiations for Beckham to return had been ongoing between Milan and the Galaxy for months.

Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham walks on the field during Game 1 of their MLS Cup western conference semifinal soccer playoff series against Chivas USA in Carson, California, November 1, 2009

"We are delighted to see David Beckham back in the red-and-black shirt after his splendid experience last season," AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said on the club's Web site.

"We are sure that this period in Europe will help him make it to the next World Cup, and after that his career with Los Angeles Galaxy. We must thank them for agreeing to this deal."