Andrew Boyens is now part of the Galaxy - and he gets to train and play beside the biggest star.
Boyens (28), the former Dunedin Technical defender, signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy before Christmas and has just started pre-season training with the Major League Soccer defending champion.
He joins a star-studded team which will eventually welcome back American talisman Landon Donovan, on loan at Everton, and Irish striker Robbie Keane, on loan at Aston Villa.
But those two players do not bask in quite the same global spotlight as the Galaxy's English veteran, the bloke called David Beckham.
Boyens has met the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar, and said Beckham was - almost - just like any other team-mate.
"He's a great guy but more importantly he's still a quality player and a hard worker," Boyens told the Otago Daily Times in an email.
"It's easy to see how he's had such a successful career."
Boyens began his MLS career with Toronto FC after being selected in the first round of the draft out of the University of New Mexico.
He played for Toronto in the Canadian club's inaugural season and then joined New York, where he spent three seasons with the Red Bulls.
A season with Chivas USA followed, before the Galaxy became Boyens' fourth professional club.
"It's a bit complicated how it all came about but basically, when it looked like I wasn't going to continue on with Chivas USA, the Galaxy got in touch with me and asked if I was interested in joining them.
"I said I was and they picked me up through what is called the re-entry draft."
The re-entry draft covers players with a certain amount of MLS experience who are coming off contract.
Boyens comes into a good situation, with a popular and successful club. He may also be in line for serious game time as Omar Gonzalez, the Galaxy's MLS defender of the year, is sidelined with a torn ACL.
The Kavanagh College old boy hopes to play for the All Whites against Jamaica in Auckland on February 29.
"I always make myself available for the All Whites and I'm hoping when the squad is named, my name is included."
Boyens was back in Otago over the summer, running his Andy Boyens Football Coaching camps for the fourth season.
In Dunedin (two camps), Oamaru, Queenstown, Wanaka and Timaru, he and his team worked with nearly 400 young players.
Boyens also watched Otago United and Phoenix games at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and is hopeful of one day wearing the white strip in his home town.
"I hope there is an All Whites game there at some stage because Dunedin hasn't had one in a while, and with a facility like that I believe it would be a huge success.
"Also, from looking at it, it is probably one of the best surfaces in New Zealand. I'd love to get out there and play some football on it."
Outside football, Boyens and wife Claire are enjoying being parents for the first time. Daughter Harrier (3 months) is "just awesome", and the proud father was delighted to show her off in New Zealand.
"Being a dad is challenging but there are so many more rewards than challenges. I absolutely love it."
