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David Beckham's investment group, Beckham Miami United, has reached an initial agreement over plans for a proposed privately funded 25,000-seater arena in Miami.

The agreement is for the new stadium, planned to accommodate Beckham's proposed new and as yet unnamed Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise for the start of the 2018 season, to be built next door to the Miami Marlins' Marlin Park. The site was previously home to the Orange Bowl, where the Miami Dolphins National Football League (NFL) franchise played before it was demolished to make way for Marlins Park in 2008.

The Miami Marlins baseball team is a member of the Eastern Division of the Major League Baseball (MLB) National League.

A spokesman for Beckham Miami United said: "Today's meeting with Mayor Regalado was another positive step toward bringing a world class soccer club to Miami. We're still in the early planning stages and several viable options still exist, but our preferred stadium location is the former Orange Bowl site.

"David, Marcelo and Simon are thrilled by the initial outpouring of support we've received from our fans and we're excited about sharing our plans with the city, county and community soon."

The news comes after more than 18 months of discussions with city lawmakers over a potential location for the stadium in Miami.