Beckham bids to keep the cash rolling

David Beckham was launching his new perfume today as it was revealed his earnings have dropped from £17million to £12million a year.

The fragrance, created with his wife Victoria, shows the footballer's determination to keep "Brand Beckham" alive now he has been dropped from the England squad. Unveiled by two Beckham lookalikes at Oxford Street's Superdrug, the his and hers "Intimately" perfumes follow his Instinct fragrance, launched last year.

The English football team's former captain has already built up lucrative advertising deals away from football with global brands including Gillette, Motorola, Pepsi and Adidas.

Andy Milligan, author of Brand It Like Beckham, said: "[His] management team has always factored in that he will not be a footballer for ever. Being dropped from the team may have speeded things up."

A return to international football is not ruled out. Mr Milligan said: "Just imagine the drama if he went from his current 94 caps to 100. A 'Beckham 100' brand would create a flurry of merchandising opportunities."