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MILAN (AP) — David Beckham hopes his second spell with AC Milan will be as good as the five months he spent on loan with the Italian club in 2009.

The England midfielder passed a medical Tuesday and has spent the past two days training with his new teammates.

AC Milan resumes play Jan. 6 against Genoa.

"My experience with the club was so special," Beckham said Wednesday. "I missed the club. I missed playing for it, I missed the players and everybody associated with the club.

"It was a very special experience. It was good last time and I hope it will be as good this time."

Beckham scored twice in 18 games for Milan from January to May 2009 while on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS. He has repeated the move in a bid to secure his place at the 2010 World Cup.

After a slow start, new Milan coach Leonardo has been praised for an attacking philosophy that has taken his team into second place, eight points behind Inter Milan but with a game in hand.

"Milan can certainly win the title," Beckham said. "It will be difficult because Inter and Juventus are great teams, but we have a good squad.

"All I am thinking about is the next six months here. I want to enjoy myself and help Milan win the championship."

Beckham will return to Old Trafford in February for the first time since leaving Manchester United in 2003, after Milan was drawn against Manchester United in the Champions League.

It will be the first time he has played in the competition since 2007, when Real Madrid lost to Bayern Munich in the second round.

"When I found about the draw, I was nearly in tears," he said. "It is a special place for me and I haven't played there for nearly seven years. I have a lot of friends at the club and a great rapport with the fans. It will be a special evening, but we will be trying to win the match."