Robbie Williams' private pitch

Jan 29, 2007, 12:20 GMT

Robbie Williams EPA/Kay Nietfeld

Robbie Williams has splashed out £800,000 on an indoor football pitch.

The paranoid singer spent the staggering sum so his celebrity friends can't be spied on during matches at his £5 million Los Angeles mansion.

Robbie - who hosts weekly games on his outdoor pitch for celebrities including Rod Stewart and Jonathan Wilkes - is hoping the indoor pitch will tempt David Beckham, who is moving to the US this summer, to join his team.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Robbie is passionate about football - its one of the things that de-stresses him. He bought the mansion in the Hollywood Hills with the sole purpose of building a full-sized pitch.

"Robbie is paranoid about people spying on his games. He thinks if he invites big stars over then helicopters will try and get pictures and that will stop people coming over.

"Robbie is desperate for David Beckham to join his team and is convinced a secure indoor pitch will tip the balance."

Robbie, 32, who performed at the Beckhams' lavish pre-World Cup party last year, idolises David and is delighted he has signed to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Robbie reportedly hunted down David's wife Victoria at a post-Golden Globes party earlier this month to make sure she had his phone number.

He also begged Victoria to contact him when the Beckhams move to Los Angeles this summer.

(C) BANG Media International