Landon Donovan Prepares To Head Back To Los Angeles

The American's loan deal expires Saturday and a return to MLS is expected.

Mar 8, 2010 7:29:00 PM

By Anthony Sciarrino

More On :  Everton, Los Angeles Galaxy, Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan, Everton, EPL (Getty)

United States international Landon Donovan’s run with Everton appears to be coming to a close right on schedule despite an appeal to the Los Angeles Galaxy to keep the American in the Premier League for an additional month.

Don't Miss

Saturday’s match at Birmingham City will mark Donovan’s final match of his successful 10-week loan with the Merseyside club in which the 28-year-old scored two goals and assisted on three others in just seven Premier League games.

Despite Everton’s wishes of an extension, the LA Galaxy intend to stay with the March 15 deadline on Donovan’s loan and have the reigning MLS Most Valuable Player return to prepare for their MLS season opener on March 27 against the New England Revolution.

Donovan has stated that he would like to remain with Everton, but knows that the decision is out of his hands at the moment.

"I have told the Galaxy what I want, they know what's going on and I speak to my manager [Bruce Arena] there fairly often and at this point it is an Everton and LA Galaxy conversation,” Donovan told The Guardian.

"Both clubs know how I feel, which is that I would like to stay, though I can't end the season here, I'd have to go back 15 April at the latest. If that can be worked out, great. If not, then the Galaxy are my team and I'm very grateful for the chance I had here. It would be bittersweet either way."

Even if Donovan do not complete this season with Everton, the American has taken a lot of positives from his first Premier League experience.

"I've learned a lot," he said.

"It's absolutely improved me as a player, It's impossible not to. I have learned a lot – technically, tactically, how to keep myself motivated – and it puts me in a stronger position for the World Cup. But the biggest thing now is having the confidence that I can play against anybody and not fear anyone at all. I don't think there are many players in the world, let alone Americans, who get a chance to play against and beat Chelsea and Man United in the same week. That has to be the highlight."

For more on Americans abroad, visit Goal.com's dedicated page
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
38 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. ISOLA: Marquez is a grumpy veteran, and that needs to change ISOLA: Marquez is a grumpy veteran, and that needs to change

    The New York Red Bulls defender recently stated that he would like to play three or four more years, but does he have the right attitude to continue?

  2. RANKINGS: Donovan moves up to number two in the rankings RANKINGS: Donovan moves up to number two in the rankings

    Landon Donovan has done plenty in his time at Everton to jump over Brad Friedel to second on the list.

  3. ROGERS: Zambia wins a huge upset and a nod to a horrific 1993 crash ROGERS: Zambia wins a huge upset and a nod to a horrific 1993 crash

    Zambia upset Ivory Coast to win the Africa Cup of Nations title in the same city of its greatest sports tragedy.

  4. RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February

    The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.

  5. DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream

    In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.

 
Advertisement
Advertisement