England soccer captain David Beckham surprised fans and dismayed media commentators by acquiring another tattoo, a winged cross, etched across the back of his neck.

British newspapers on Saturday clucked their disapproval as they showed pictures of Beckham with the tattoo, his ninth, as he trained in Spain with Real Madrid team-mates.

The tabloid Daily Mirror said the design, stretching from ear-to-ear, left the shaven-headed Beckham "looking more like a soccer thug than the England captain", while the top selling Sun newspaper said he had gone from "fab to yob".

Beckham flew tattooist Louis Malloy to Madrid from Manchester on Thursday for the latest addition to his multi-million pound body. "He didn't tell me the whole story behind the design," Malloy told the Daily Mirror.

"But it's a religious iconography, like a protective talisman over his children," he said. "David just loves his tattoos. He's a very good customer."

The winged image was added the same day as Beckham declared he was staying at Real Madrid and that his pop singer wife Victoria and children would move to join him in Spain.

Beckham, who moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United for 35 million euros ($41.7 million) last year, has had a troubled year in the Spanish capital.

The team ended the season without a trophy while the Beckhams faced a media frenzy over allegations -- denied by the player -- that he had an affair with his former personal assistant, 26-year-old Rebecca Loos.

Speculation had also run high that Beckham could move to London soccer club Chelsea, buoyed by the wealth of Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.