Donovan Joins Bayern On Loan

American ace Landon Donovan has agreed to join Bayern Munich on loan until the Major League Soccer season starts in mid-March...

20 Nov 2008 20:41:32

MLS: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy, Aug 2008 (ISI)

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The Los Angeles Galaxy star has just concluded a 10-day training spell with the German giants and has clearly made the desired impact he was looking for.

"He has a verbal agreement with the league allowing him to play in Europe for two and a half months, just like David Beckham," said Bayern Munich boss Jürgen Klinsmann on Thursday.

"He's made an excellent impression here, so we've agreed to open talks with the MLS about a loan spell starting on 1 January 2009.

"Obviously, our goal is to see if we can call on him for longer, at least until the end of our season.

"It is up to him," the Bayern boss stressed. "He can recommend himself for a longer relationship.

"It's a fantastic situation for me. It gives me the chance to start the second half of the season with four strikers.

"He's unbelievably quick, and always looks to take on his man. He's a completely different type of striker to the ones we have already."

This will be Donovan's second taste of German football, having failed to make an impression during his time with Bayer Leverkusen between 2001-2005.

"He tried to fight his way into the team as a youth back then. He's a proven top player now, and a big name in the American game with more than 100 caps," Klinsmann was keen to point out.

Derek Wanner, Goal.com