David Beckham has followed through with his threat to sue editors at a U.S. magazine for publishing a series of shocking claims about his sex life - his attorneys have kicked off a massive international legal battle by filing a lawsuit in Los Angeles.

The soccer star was thrust into the spotlight this week after America's In Touch Weekly published a story from former prostitute Irma Nici, who alleged Beckham hired her services in 2007.

Beckham vehemently denied the allegations in a statement and threatened to sue over the "completely untrue and totally ridiculous" claims.

His legal team has now taken aim at the publishing company behind the magazine, filing papers at Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday accusing executives at Bauer Publishing of knowingly reporting false claims about his private life.

The lawsuit cites libel, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress and also names 26-year-old Nici as a defendant.

Beckham's publicist Jeff Raymond has confirmed the soccer star is planning an international legal assault by filing more lawsuits in other jurisdictions including Germany, where Bauer's parent company is located, according to the Associated Press.