Beckham keeps cool in first practice with Real

England captain David Beckham made his long-anticipated debut on the training pitch with Real Madrid in southwestern China on Friday.

All eyes were on Beckham during a light 90-minute workout which came on the heels of the team's long flight to Kunming, where Real are training for a week before four promotional friendlies in Asia.

Around 200 reporters and 200 selected local fans in Real shirts -- all employees of the state-owned tobacco company hosting the squad -- were keen to see how the larger-than-life celebrity would fit into Real's constellation of stars.

Beckham was low key and businesslike, largely keeping quiet during stretches and trailing near the back during a warm-up jog.

Chinese followers hooted and hollered at almost his every move in drills, though Portuguese forward Luis Figo's playful antics snatched the spotlight from Beckham at several points.

During a 15-minute half-field contest that concluded the session, the winger had his share of solid touches from the right side but a few of Beckham's trademark crosses floated well off the mark.

Questions are sure to loom for some time over how Beckham's transfer from Manchester United will affect Real's formation and style of play, especially under new coach Carlos Queiroz, United's former assistant coach.

After the practice, team leader Raul did little to dispel the speculation.

"Beckham is a world class player. He's is going to reinforce this team like the others -- Figo, Zidane and Ronaldo," the Real striker told reporters, in reference to the three elite talents his team had recruited in each of the previous three years.

"But, as for the formation, that is for the coach to decide," the Spaniard said via an English translator.

Steve McManaman, who once played alongside Beckham on the left wing for England, noted he had been with the team only two days but said: "He's fitting in."

"If he's successful, the club will be successful."

There was an awkward moment, though, when a reporter asked Raul why he had not surrendered his number seven to Beckham, who has traded in his old number seven at United for 23 at Real.

Raul at first laughed off the question, declining to answer, but then explained: "I have been wearing it for around 10 seasons, so I won't give it up so easily."