Paris St Germain pulled off the coup of the January transfer window when they signed former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and England midfielder David Beckham on Thursday. The superstar signed a contract until the end of the season, but most admirably decided to pledge his salary to a charity in the French capital. Was it an act of a genuinely charitable man or an attention seeker?

Becks signed on the dotted line on Thursday in Paris.

So David Beckham signed for his fourth club in the transfer window and people have been asking if “he’s still got it?”. But his announcement also paved the way for more stark and, I think, unfair criticism.

It seems the announcement to donate his wage, apparently a “considerable sum” to go to a local French charity instead of his own back pocket, has raised criticism in some quarters.

Some have viewed this as a publicity stunt, forum boards have said that it’s rather attention seeking, and some commentators within the sport say it’s the Beckham marketing model in full swing.

To these people I say boo-hoo. They have obviously been raised to be massive cynics in a world where good gestures seem to have an ulterior motive. And whilst they are being this way, I would argue, they have yet to use their brain.

Surely the fact that he has earned enough money to last him a lifetime is good enough reason to not want to get a pay packet? That his success with off the field ventures has given him enough recognition that he doesn’t need more attention? That simply he is a father to four children who will have anything they can wish for, so his honest, simple deed is just to ensure that other children don’t suffer such hardships?

Beckham isn’t a saint. He’s never claimed to me. He’s doing this because he wants to, it’s his money and he gets to “spend it” how he chooses. If we are all fed up with flash boys of football, and their silly antics, then surely something like this can be admired, and by the way, he’s probably not looking for anyone’s admiration.

All I can say is, nice one Becks, at least a good charity will be better off with your intervention. To all the naysayers, turn that frown upside down! 

Do you have any criticisms of David Beckham? Give us your thoughts @talkingbaws or comment below. Watch out for Paul Boyle’s blog tomorrow.