David Beckham has won his battle to stay at AC Milan.

Under a unique timeshare' agreement, Beckham will stay in Italy until the end of the season, return to the Los Angeles Galaxy from July to October and then rejoin the Serie A club for the rest of the campaign.

According to sources, Beckham has been so determined to stay at Milan that he has agreed to fund the majority of the loan fee being paid to Galaxy himself.

Beckham's loan deal was due to run out on Monday but the new arrangement has given him the chance to cement his position in the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers and the finals in South Africa next year.

The deal is expected to be officially confirmed later today or over the weekend.

It follows weeks of negotiations between the clubs, during which Milan baulked at the size of the fee Galaxy were demanding — thought to be around £12m.

Beckham was an instant success at the San Siro after arriving after Christmas, and his desire to stay has led the 33-year-old to effectively fund the deal himself.

The only issue that has yet to be settled is Beckham's position at the end of next season — under the arrangement he will only be on loan at Milan until then.

Beckham will not have the sort of long break most players in Europe enjoy in the summer but he will have several shorter breaks instead.

He will have some time off before rejoining Galaxy on July 15, and then another break before returning to Milan in November.

He will also benefit from the winter break in Serie A and believes that will make him at least as fresh as any Premier League player when the World Cup starts.

Asked if Beckham would remain at AC Milan this season, club sporting director Ariedo Braida said today: “I believe he will, but it's not official yet.”

Milan general manager Adriano Galliani added: “The Galaxy and us are going back and forward with corrections to the documents. We are on the right path.

Beckham moved to the Galaxy in 2007, signing a five-year deal. He does have an escape clause in that contract — which comes into effect in November, halfway through the term — but he would have to pay hefty compensation to exercise it.