MLS LA Galaxy

Donovan inks new deal with Galaxy

Published on December 17, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


LOS ANGELES -- England might beckon for Landon Donovan, but he isn't abandoning his Los Angeles Galaxy roots. The 27-year-old not only could be heading to Everton Football Club of the English Premier League on a three-month loan, but it also was announced on Wednesday that he signed a new four-year contract to remain with his MLS team. Donovan had just finished a five-year deal he signed with the club in 2005 before deciding to stay in southern California.

"This is a very exciting day for me," Donovan said. "This has been a very ... I would say ... interesting decision for me. Very difficult at times. I think at the end of the day I did a lot of soul-searching, and this is the place I want to be.

"I'm excited for the next four years. This year has turned out the way I thought about this franchise. Candidly a year ago I wouldn't have made this decision. I believe in this team, I believe in the future and I'm proud to be a part of this team.

"I want to continue to be a part of this team."

Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said loan possibilities have been "narrowed down" to Everton with one catch: The club will not entertain any talk about a permanent transfer. Donovan is expected to be gone from Jan. 1 to March 15 and will return in time for the Galaxy's 2010 regular-season opener against the New England Revolution on March 27 at The Home Depot Center in Carson.

Everton had not been the only European team to be pursuing him. There also have been reports of interest from Serie A side Livorno in Italy, Paris Saint-Germain of France's Ligue 1, Mexico's Club America of the Primera Division, Scottish powerhouse Glasgow Celtic and even Liverpool of the English Premier League.

Donovan is coming off arguably the finest season of his career. The nine-year MLS veteran was named the league's Volkswagen MVP, he led the U.S. into the FIFA Confederations Cup final in South Africa, where it lost to Brazil, he was named to his ninth MLS All-Star team and he became the league's all-time leading scorer in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

He was the second Galaxy player to be named the league's MVP. Carlos Ruiz was the first in 2002.

Donovan, who had a team-high 12 goals and six assists this season, has some unfinished business, however. The Galaxy reached the MLS Cup Final in Seattle but lost to Real Salt Lake on penalty kicks. Donovan, who lost in the championship game for the first time after three victories earlier in his career -- including 2005 with the Galaxy -- said he is intent on correcting that blemish on his imposing resume.

"This year has been fantastic for our team, and it's always difficult when you get to the end and it doesn't turn out the way you want," Donovan said. "But looking back on March 16 or 17 when I first came back to the team (from Bayern Munich) and what our expectations were, if I would have told you we'd be in the MLS Cup you would have laughed.

"I think we need to keep that in perspective. We're not satisfied with that."

Arena called Wednesday's announcement a great day for the club.

"This is further evidence that the L.A. Galaxy and AEG are committed to building a strong team here in L.A. to compete for the MLS Cup year in and year out," he said. "It's a load off maybe not my mind in particular but our team, our organization and our fans. We haven't treated them right over the last couple of years."

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