David Beckham turns 40: From teenage footballer to world famous father-of-four

David Beckham is celebrating his 40th birthday, 23 years after the spotlight was turned on him during his Manchester United debut.

The star has come a long way from his Essex roots, rising from aspiring sportsman to a global superstar with multi million pound campaigns, a world class footballing career and four children to his name.

Playing his first match for the club back in 1992, he would go on to win the Premier League title 6 times, the FA cup twice and eventually become England captain for six whole years.

After stints at LA Galaxy and Real Madrid, David played the final matches of his career for Paris Saint-Germain before announcing his retirement in May 2013.

Despite his stellar footballing record, Beckham became just as well known for his relationship with Spice Girl Victoria Beckham in the late 1990s, marrying her in a lavish ceremony in 1999.

The couple have rarely been out of the public eye since, with their children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper never far from their sides.

While his designer wife, Victoria, celebrated her 40th with a blow-out party in London last year, Beckham is all set to jet to Morocco to celebrate his milestone.

According to reports, friends of the couple including Tom Cruise, Gordon Ramsay, Guy Ritchie, Gary Neville, James Corden, Liv Tyler and Dave Gardner will join them to welcome in the next decade.

The A-list party are staying at the luxury five-star Amanjena resort near Marrakech, according to the Sun on Sunday.

Beckham is reported to have chosen the idyllic venue as it is where he and Victoria enjoyed a romantic break and renewed their vows in 2004.