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Donovan Wins Golden Boot; Talks Europe Move
Fresh off winning the 2008 MLS Golden Boot, LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan discusses how he'd love a move to the English Premier League.
Oct 27, 2008 1:03:05 PM
For the first time in his storied MLS career, Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan won the MLS Golden Boot award, given tot he player in the league who scores the most goals in the regular season.
Donovan was in excellent form this year, scoring 20 goals in his 25 games and added nine assists. He beat out FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper by two goals. In third place was Donovan’s Galaxy teammate Edson Buddle.
This is Donovan’s fourth season with the Galaxy and his eighth in the league, but it could be his last. His spirited play has raised speculation that the talented American will look for a move back to Europe in the January transfer window.
"I'd love to play in the Premiership, I think that would be incredible," Donovan said following the Galaxy's final game of the season regarding his aspirations. "Whether that happens I don't know but I think where my qualities are best would be in a team that plays. I'm not going to go and battle John Terry and expect to win but if I can get on a team that plays good soccer I think I could help."
Earlier in his career, Donovan was a youth club player for Bayer Leverkusen and made seven appearances for the first team side. He never really settled in though and returned to the US in 2001 as a part of the San Jose Earthquakes, where he spent the next four years.
It is yet to be seen if the MLS will allow such a move for one of it’s best players, but Donovan did say he will approach the league office to request a transfer to a European club this week.
"Obviously, there's a lot of ifs,” said Donovan of whether the transfer will actually happen. “If the Galaxy is okay with me going, if the League is willing to accept an offer, if an offer comes. "In my situation I can't be super picky but if it's the right offer and makes sense with the right team...there's a lot of ifs. But from my standpoint I'm ready to take that step and I want to.”
Since joining San Jose in 2001 and LA in 2005, Donovan has put up gaudy numbers, scoring 84 goals and adding 69 assists in 183 matches.
-- Shane Evans, Goal.com
Donovan was in excellent form this year, scoring 20 goals in his 25 games and added nine assists. He beat out FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper by two goals. In third place was Donovan’s Galaxy teammate Edson Buddle.
This is Donovan’s fourth season with the Galaxy and his eighth in the league, but it could be his last. His spirited play has raised speculation that the talented American will look for a move back to Europe in the January transfer window.
"I'd love to play in the Premiership, I think that would be incredible," Donovan said following the Galaxy's final game of the season regarding his aspirations. "Whether that happens I don't know but I think where my qualities are best would be in a team that plays. I'm not going to go and battle John Terry and expect to win but if I can get on a team that plays good soccer I think I could help."
Earlier in his career, Donovan was a youth club player for Bayer Leverkusen and made seven appearances for the first team side. He never really settled in though and returned to the US in 2001 as a part of the San Jose Earthquakes, where he spent the next four years.
It is yet to be seen if the MLS will allow such a move for one of it’s best players, but Donovan did say he will approach the league office to request a transfer to a European club this week.
"Obviously, there's a lot of ifs,” said Donovan of whether the transfer will actually happen. “If the Galaxy is okay with me going, if the League is willing to accept an offer, if an offer comes. "In my situation I can't be super picky but if it's the right offer and makes sense with the right team...there's a lot of ifs. But from my standpoint I'm ready to take that step and I want to.”
Since joining San Jose in 2001 and LA in 2005, Donovan has put up gaudy numbers, scoring 84 goals and adding 69 assists in 183 matches.
-- Shane Evans, Goal.com
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