talkSPORT's Jamie O'Hara has revealed that he was left starstruck when he found himself sharing a pitch with David Beckham.
This came in January 2011, when the Manchester United and England icon spent six weeks training with Tottenham, where O'Hara was a player at the time.
Advertisement
Although still contracted to LA Galaxy, a 35-year-old Beckham joined up with Spurs, who were managed by Harry Redknapp, to keep up his fitness during the MLS off-season.
And talkSPORT host O'Hara explained that he was totally in awe of the football legend during the pair's training ground encounters.
Appearing on The Sports Breakfast alongside Kevin Nolan and Alan Brazil, O'Hara's response was immediate when asked to pinpoint a moment in his career where he was left starstruck.
Advertisement
He said: “David Beckham was one for me. When he came in at Tottenham, I think we were trying to get him on loan. I was a young lad.
“And he came over, I think he was at [LA] Galaxy, we were trying to get him to play for maybe three months, and he came in and he was training with us."
Advertisement
Despite the Spurs squad at the time boasting future serial Champions League winners Gareth Bale and Luka Modric among others, O'Hara admitted that Beckham's status as a global star made him untouchable in the dressing room.
He went on: “That room was filled with stars already, there were big players at Tottenham at the time. But when he walked in, it was just a different aura, just a different energy.
Advertisement
“There was something about him, you know when you have that something about a person?"
Being one of the most recognisable faces in the world, O'Hara added that Beckham's presence around the club was felt by everyone.
“When they [big players] talk, you listen.
Advertisement
“It was a weird feeling because I'd never had that before, I always felt quite comfortable around footballers- we're all the same, we're all lads.
“But when Beckham walked in the room, even the big boys were like: ‘He's a big deal’."
Despite strong rumours that Redknapp was set to bring the 115-cap ex-England international to White Hart Lane on loan, a deal ultimately never materialised.
But Spurs were not the only side in north London to welcome Beckham into their club.
Advertisement
In January 2008, the six-time Premier League winner was pictured training with fierce rivals Arsenal, with then Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirming that this was also to help the star maintain his fitness during the US close season.
Phillipe Senderos, who was in the squad then, told talkSPORT Beckham was in a different class when it came to training.
"His application, what he would do every single day to prepare himself and be one of the best performers at the weekend was unbelievable," he said, recalling his incredible set-pieces.
Following his six weeks amongst Redknapp's group, Beckham returned to the States, where he spent two more seasons, winning consecutive MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012.
Advertisement
He then joined Paris Saint-Germain at the end of January 2013 and retired that year with 19 major honours to his name, including multiple Premier League titles, the Champions League and LaLiga.