David Beckham will stay at AC Milan until the end of the season and will also play for the Italian giants for most of next season.

Under a unique 'timeshare' agreement the England midfielder will play for Los Angeles Galaxy between July and October before returning to Milan in November for the rest of next season.

It is understood that Beckham is so determined to stay at Milan that he will fund the majority of the loan fee being paid to Galaxy himself.

A spokesman for Beckham declined to comment but the deal is expected to be officially confirmed by the clubs later today or over the weekend.

The deal follows weeks of negotiations between the two clubs during which Milan baulked at the size of the transfer fee Galaxy were demanding - thought to be around £12million.

Beckham's desire to play for a top club in order to cement his place in the England squad for the 2010 World Cup finals led to the 33-year-old to effectively fund the unique loan 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.

Under the arrangement 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 in July, 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 comes around.

When asked if Beckham would remain at AC Milan for the remainder of the campaign, club sporting director Ariedo Braida told PA Sport today: "I believe he will but it's not official yet."

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.

The 'timeshare' agreement means he will miss at least 17 games of this year's Major League Soccer season, which has a total of 30 matches per club. His return to the USA now looks set to be on July 18 at the New York Red Bulls.