**Footballer David Beckham is on his way to Helmand province, Afghanistan, to make a surprise visit to UK troops.**The 35-year-old former England captain set out for Helmand - where about 9,000 British troops are based - from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on Friday.
He said he had “nothing but admiration” for UK troops who made him “very proud to be British”.
Meanwhile, a British marine from 40 Commando Royal Marines has been killed in an explosion in Sangin.
Mr Beckham said: "I have nothing but admiration for these young men and women and it makes me very proud to be British.
“I’ve wanted to visit Afghanistan for a long time and I hope that in some small way it helps remind everyone at home what an amazing job they are doing out here in very difficult conditions. I feel very humble.”
The footballer - who made his name at Manchester United before going on to play for Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan - is due to take part in a question and answer session with British troops.
Meanwhile earlier on Friday the Ministry of Defence announced that about 8,000 British forces based in Helmand are to come under the operational command of the US.
The move is part of a restructuring of Nato forces, with command and control in southern Afghanistan split into two.
The UK’s Maj Gen Nick Carter will now oversee Kandahar, while Maj Gen Richard Mills from the US will take on Helmand.
The UK force level in Afghanistan is currently 9,500, but with special forces totals some 10,000.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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