Beckham crowned world's richest footballer

Ace midfielder David Beckham has raked in a whopping £10.7 million last year in sponsorship deals, doubling his payout from the previous 12 months.

Beckham boosted his fortune by endorsing a range of goods including Armani and Adidas.

It is believed his off-the-pitch earnings were given a massive boost by the success of his raunchy Armani underwear ads, the Daily Star reports.

Beckham's firm Footwork Productions enjoyed a massive cash injection in 2008, according to Companies House statistics.

After taking home £5.2 million pounds in 2007, Beckham's sponsorship pay packet grew to a handsome £10.7 million last year.

The figures show the England star raked in almost £30,000 a day, without his huge football salary.

It proved a lucrative 12 months as Beckham also kept his crown as the world's richest footballer in the annual players' rich list.

Outstripping superstars like Barcelona's Lionel Messi, 22, and AC Milan's Ronaldinho, 29, Beckham netted a total annual income of £30m in the list compiled by France Football magazine.

The sum included wages from both LA Galaxy and AC Milan, where he spent time on loan, as well as income from sponsors and his football academies, the Daily Star reports.