David Beckham’s luxury cars lost nearly $280,000 in value last year.

The British soccer star’s fleet of exclusive vehicles decreased in worth by an estimated $254,500 in 2008 – more than any other celebrity.

A survey of celebrity motorists by Britain’s leading pay-as-you-go rental company City Car Club named Beckham the biggest victim of depreciation, followed by fellow soccer players Steven Gerrard, who lost more than $224,500, and Rio Ferdinand, who lost $221,700.

In just 12 months Beckham’s two Bentleys decreased in value by more than $168,000 his Hummer H2 by $77,000, and his Lamborghini by $46,500.

Other celebrities to appear in the top 10 include “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell, who lost more than $220,300 and Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay whose 25 deluxe motors decreased by a combined $209,000.

50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, soccer stars William Gallas and Wayne Rooney and British comic actor Rowan Atkinson also appear on the list.

City Car Club claim the credit crunch has affected the luxury car market so badly the average depreciation of top brands has swelled to about 40 per cent in the first year.

To find out more about pay-as-you-go car rental, visit www.citycarclub.co.uk.

City Car Club’s top 10 celebrity vehicle depreciations:
1. David Beckham, $254,500
2. Steven Gerrard, $225,500
3. Rio Ferdinand, $222,600
4. Simon Cowell, $221,600
5. William Gallas, $213,300
6. Jay Kay, $210,400
7. 50 Cent, $201,200
8. Wayne Rooney, $183,500
9. Rowan Atkinson, $116,200
10. Justin Timberlake, $53,200

David Beckham is renting George Clooney’s Italian villa.

The British soccer star – who has been on loan to AC Milan from his current team Los Angeles Galaxy – is living in the “Ocean’s Eleven” actor’s plush home by Lake Como.

David is believed to be using the villa while George – who recently visited refugee camps in Sudan’s war-wracked Darfur region – is away working.

The pair struck up a friendship after they were introduced by fashion designer Giorgio Armani at last year’s New York Met Ball.

David and George became closer when the soccer star moved to Italy earlier this year, with George agreeing to show him around the country and introduce him to people.

David, 33, has previously spoken of his admiration for George, admitting the 47-year-old star’s handsome looks helped him come to terms with his own graying hair.

He said: “I’ve noticed a bit of gray, but as long as it’s George Clooney gray I don’t mind. George is one of the most handsome men in the world.”

David Beckham has a new tattoo of a guardian angel engulfed in flames covering his right arm.

Injured David was cheering on Real Madrid – the soccer team he is set to leave for Los Angeles Galaxy this summer – when he unveiled the intricate artwork on Sunday (04.08.07).

The star’s latest tattoo, which took a grueling six hours to complete, includes words from a Roman poem, which sources believe are a message to people who have slammed his talent.

Translated, the words read: “Let them hate as long as they fear.”

A source said: “David has always used tattoos to express his thoughts. He believes his tattoos can ward off negativity and help him battle adversity.”

David’s career has seen the soccer ace suffer a series of lows.

In 1998, he had to endure the trauma of effigies burning in the streets after he was sent off in a crucial World Cup match against Argentina and was blamed for England’s exit from the competition.

He was also stripped of the England captaincy and dumped from the team last year by new manager Steve McClaren.

David – who is married to former Spice Girl Victoria Adams – is said to have been inspired in his choice of tattoo by hit US TV series “Prison break.”

The show’s main character Michael Scofield has similar tattoos covering his torso and arms.

The 31-year-old father-of-three returned to Manchester to have the work carried out by his favorite tattoo artist, Louis Malloy. The tattoo reportedly took six hours to complete and cost around $900.