( CNN ) -- David Beckham was a key figure in London 's drive to win hosting rights for the 2012 Olympics , and now the sports icon is taking on the challenge of boosting the image of China 's troubled soccer industry . The world 's most populous nation has recruited the veteran Paris Saint-Germain midfielder as a global ambassador to help promote the Chinese game both at home and abroad as it combats a serious image problem caused by recent match-fix scandals and the premature departure of two high-profile foreign imports . According to a statement released by Beckham 's management , the Chinese Football Association was drawn to the former England captain 's `` credibility as one of the most admired sportsmen and iconic figures in the world as well as his outstanding sportsmanship and professionalism . '' `` I am honored to have been asked to play such an important role at this special time in Chinese football history , '' declared 37-year-old Beckham , who is a worldwide celebrity following stints with Manchester United and Real Madrid in addition to his high-profile off-pitch endorsement deals . `` I 'm excited by the prospect of promoting the world 's greatest game to Chinese sports fans as I 've seen firsthand the growing interest in football there , '' added Beckham , who also spent five years in Los Angeles with his former popstar wife Victoria and their four children . `` This is a wonderful sport that inspires people across the world and brings families together , so I 'm relishing the opportunity of introducing more fans to the game . '' Beckham 's appointment coincides with the 20th anniversary of professional football in China , which is home to 1.3 billion people . `` We are pleased to invite Mr. Beckham to visit China at this special moment , '' said a CFA official , who was not named . `` While in China , he will attend the Chinese Super League ( CSL ) and visit clubs to get a deeper insight into football in China . `` He will also help us to inspire and motivate many children to participate in this beautiful game . '' Beckham will hope to improve the reputation of Chinese football , which has been blighted by numerous scandals . Last month Shanghai Shenhua was stripped of the CSL title it won in 2003 as part of a crackdown on match-fixing which also saw 33 lifetime bans from the sport handed out . `` There has been major corruption in the past but there have been some severe punishments of late , '' Asian football writer John Duerden told CNN . `` Consequently , the situation seems to be much better . The game is cleaner and sponsors and fans have returned . `` It is hard to say that is completely clean but recent events have shown that no country can say with any certainty that it is free of corruption . '' Shanghai made headlines around the world after embarking on a recruitment drive which included the signings of strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka from English club Chelsea , which won the European Champions League last season . But the two transfers have not been the success Shenhua had hoped , despite paying both players more than $ 200,000 a week . Drogba recently signed an 18-month contract with Turkish club Galatasaray after just 10 months in China , while Anelka joined Italian champions Juventus on a five-month loan deal in January . `` It put China in the international news and excited fans back home , '' Duerden said of the duo 's move to Shanghai last year . `` It was good for the brand of the country 's football , especially at home . Other stars followed in their footsteps ... the two just went to the wrong club , perhaps the worst-run club in China . '' Despite recent controversies and the departures -- both permanent and temporary -- of Anelka and Drogba , Duerden suggests the reputation and popularity of the CSL is on the rise . `` The popularity of the Chinese Super League is growing , '' he said . `` There is a lot of money there , the facilities are good and the attendances are the highest in Asia . There 's still a long way to go but it 's growing . '' Part of Beckham 's new role will be to encourage China 's youth to embrace soccer at a time when the country 's government is attempting to grow the sport . `` In schools , a massive program has just started to help train Chinese kids for the first time , '' Duerden said . `` It is a systematic approach and well-funded . It remains to be seen how successful it is but it certainly ca n't do any harm . ''
Soccer star David Beckham appointed ambassador for Chinese football . Paris Saint-Germain player will help to promote the game in China and abroad . Chinese football has been hit by high-profile match-fixing scandals . Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka recently left Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua .