Becks becomes first ever solo male star to grace Elle magazine's cover

With his myriad of tattoos on display, the 37-year-old footballer is clad in a simple grey t-shirt, scowls artfully as one hand comes to rest on his carefully coiffured hair.

While in another picture, he shows off his finely-honed body and ‘six pack' as he strides out of a pool - complete with soaking wet jeans.

David Beckham

The father-of-four, who plays for LA Galaxy, declared last month that he was ‘honoured' to have the ‘really exciting' opportunity to be on the cover of July Elle.

"David Beckham is a national hero... He is an icon and Elle is known for featuring icons on its cover. This is a first for us on the newsstand and I believe he is loved by men and women alike," the Daily Mail quoted Lorraine Candy, the editor-in-chief, as saying.

"Anyway, who doesn't want to see a picture of one of the world's most handsome men on the front cover of a magazine? It will be a collector's issue," Candy said.

Beckham's appearance had certainly got the staff at Elle hot under the collar as the front cover was heavily promoted.

The magazine put out a video clip of the sportsman's cover shoot, with the words ‘Prepare Yourself' emblazoned over his crotch.

In screenshots taken from the video, Beckham stood shirtless by a pool with a towel stretched behind him and playfully threw punches at the camera.