The arrival was like royalty - except that no king or queen ever had such a welcome, at least not in Los Angeles. Posh and Becks are of course much, much bigger than royalty.

In an atmosphere of fevered anticipation that went to hysteria and beyond, David and Victoria Beckham set foot on US soil together for the first time early today as they began their new life as America's Mr and Mrs Soccer.

We're here: Posh and Becks arrive in Los Angeles in advance of the footballer's unveiling at new team LA Galaxy

Beckham-mania reaches LA: Crowds of fans gather alongside the media pack to greet the Beckham's in an event one airport worker described as 'bigger than 9/11'

"This is the biggest media operation since 9/11, one airport spokeswoman said, in a remark she may just possibly live to regret.

Media types pushed and shoved behind the barriers, stony-faced security men did their best to keep them at bay, and teenage girls sighed and said it was "awesome".

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The media frenzy begins as the Beckhams arrive in an already star-studded town

Oh yes, and did we mention Austin Baker? "Who's David Beckham?" said Austin, an 11-year-old Californian boy who was waiting for his connection. There's always one.

On the plane over from Heathrow, normal celebrity rules applied: just as with some deities, ordinary mortals are not allowed to look at them directly, so with the Beckhams no member of the public was allowed to take pictures or approach them.

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Happy faces: The couple emerged from the airport holding hands, and David flashed a toothy LA style grin

On the ground it was a different story. The Beckhams walked on earth. People screamed. In particular, Dionne Barnes screamed: loudly, and happily.

"He's beautiful and he's a darling and he's the best soccer player in the world," said Dionne, a Jamaican living in LA who had waited for two and a-half hours to see Beckham. "I like his personality and I like the way he's respectful towards humanity. I just love him."

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Golden boy: Fans waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the former England captain

Victoria managed a half-smile for the waiting fans

As the Beckhams made their way past the media scrum - David, 32, in blue jeans and black belted jacket, Victoria, 33, in a black dress and trademark oversized sunglasses - the children (Brooklyn, eight, Romeo, four, and two-year-old Cruz, all dressed in matching red striped shirts, white shorts and trainers) were taken out of the airport separately.

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The couple get into their car to drive to their new home an LA version of Beckingham Palace

The couple were given a police escort for the drive to their new home

The couple arrive at their Beverly Hills mansion which is five minutes away from friends Tom and Katie Cruise

Some fans could barely contain their excitement. A girls' football team - the LA-based Cherif All Stars, who were flying out for a tour of England, stood screaming Beckham's name and clapping their hands.

"I think it's great," said 13-year-old Tiffany Greer. "Beckham is really cool. I can't wait for him to play in LA."

"It was so awesome, he looks better in person than in the magazines," said Priscilla Flores, 15. "I'm really excited to see him play his first game. He'll make soccer more popular here."

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Just occasionally someone showed a different perspective. One US TV crew was overheard debating whether to use more than one camera to cover the arrival. "Nah, it's not the President is it?" was the response from a producer.

Cynicism not withstanding, one thing is certain: the American public is about to see a lot more of the Beckhams. David will today be officially unveiled as an LA Galaxy player - the highest-profile signing by a US soccer club since Pele joined the New York Cosmos in 1975.

The former England captain will earn an estimated £130 million in total salary and endorsements over five years.

Victoria, meanwhile, will hit US screens on Monday in a one-hour reality show, Victoria Beckham: Coming To America.

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Victoria's Bentley is delivered to their Beverly Hills home complete with initials on the headrest and hubs

Just before they arrived, the couple's new cars were delivered to their £16 million Beverly-Hills home - a blacked out Cadillac Esplanade for him, a black Bentley GT cabriolet for her, with the letters VB etched into the alloy wheels and stitched into the headrests.

Flash motors by most people's standards, but as one neighbour pointed out, "it's really not that unusual to see cars like that around here."

Welcome to LA.

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The Beckhams have landed: the couple get up close and personal in a new racy shoot for American fashion bible W

The couple marked their move to the US with a raunchy photoshoot for fashion magazine W, in which they pose in just their underwear.

In the interview, Victoria opened her heart over David's alleged affair with Rebecca Loos and said the couple came out "stronger and happier".

The family are moving into a multi-million pound Beverly Hills mansion complete with 10 security guards.