David Beckham met his first teenage romance soon after signing for Manchester United and admitted his love despite her not knowing how big his Old Trafford transfer was
07:00, 23 Jan 2026
David Beckham lines up next to Brian McClair and Gary Pallister on his European debut for Manchester United against Galatasaray
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David Beckham met his first love shortly after signing for Manchester United(Image: Mark Leech/Getty Images)
David and Victoria Beckham are the most famous football power couple of all time after the two fell head over heels for each other during Golden Ball's days at Manchester United.
The two are closing in on 30 years together but that milestone is being overshadowed by their eldest son Brooklyn's bombshell revelation against his parents. Speculation of a feud had been reported before Brooklyn finally went public about the breakdown of their relationship on social media.
David and Victoria are yet to respond to their son's accusations as they attempt to keep the walls of their castle still standing. The two have been through a lot together, but some will argue that fate brought their lives together after David's first love.
Two individuals, both dressed in black leather attire, are standing next to each other against a dimly lit background, possibly at an event or gathering.
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Before Victoria, David was head over heels for a Texan student(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
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During his early days at Manchester United, Bekcham sparked a romance with Texan student Jodi Price. Their paths crossed on a flight departing Gatwick bound for her hometown of Dallas.
Both aged 15, the teenagers became utterly devoted throughout the journey and maintained their connection for the next two years through passionate correspondence and exchanging presents. In 2007, Jodie reminisced: "It was one of those lovely things. I'm gonna blush when I tell you but, just before he had to go home, David held me and said in his funny English accent: 'I fink I'm in luv.'"
"He was so sweet. I kissed him, of course I did. But I didn't say anything back."
She continued: "That guy did so much for me without really knowing it. Seven months before we met I was in a car accident. I had 132 stitches in my face. I was still getting over it when we met, and he never seemed to notice the scars.
Two individuals, a man in a black shirt and a woman in a pink shirt, are standing side by side on a grassy field with buildings and trees in the background.
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David Beckham and his first love Jodi Price (Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
"For a teenage girl, that's some morale booster, especially when the guy who can't see the scars is funny, sweet, and handsome as hell."
The encounter between David and Jodi was purely serendipitous. She was on her way back from a spring break trip in London with her high school mates. Also on that flight was a team of Essex schoolboy footballers, including Beckham.
"Early on, he asked my friend if he could sit next to me. And it was simple as that," Jodi elaborated. "David was coming over for the Dallas Cup which is a prestigious international junior soccer affair. And I love soccer. In those days I was fanatical. I played left midfield for my high school..
"Anyway, he seemed like a nice guy. Clean, button-down shirt - all that. A little skinny perhaps, but he kept making me laugh.
"My friend Kristen Morgan - she lives in London now - was getting on well with David's friend Gavin, so swapping seats worked out well. And we just decided, come what may, we'd see each during the time he was here.
"David had already been signed for Manchester United, but I didn't really understand how huge that was. I loved soccer, but had no realisation."
They grew apart when Beckham began experiencing triumph on the field whilst Jodi headed off to university, pursuing psychology and sociology. Several years down the line, at 20 years old, David began a romance with Julie Killiea, 19, in 1996.
However, within a year their romance had fizzled out - allegedly because he'd fallen head over heels for Victoria - and she subsequently dated and wed his teammate Phil Neville.
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Soon after, David and the future Mrs Beckham started their romance.