CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy announced today the club has reached an agreement to send midfielder Landon Donovan to Everton FC on a two-month loan that will see the Galaxy captain return to the Galaxy in late February. This will be the second time in three years that Donovan will have played for the Premier League club, appearing in 13 for the club ahead of the start of the 2010 MLS season, scoring twice.
Donovan will be eligible to make his season debut for Everton on January 4 when the club hosts Bolton Wanderers at GoodisonPark and will remain with the club through the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield on February 25.
“The opportunity to return to Everton and play for such a well-respected club and a manager that I hold in such high regard was something that was simply too good to pass up. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Everton in 2010 and I’m hopeful that we can experience similar success this time around,” Donovan said. “I want to thank David Moyes and Bruce Arena, as well as executives from both clubs and Major League Soccer for allowing me this unique and special opportunity.”
Donovan led the Galaxy in scoring in 2011 with 16 goals in all competitions, including the championship-winning goal against the Houston Dynamo on November 20 in MLS Cup 2011. He was named the Galaxy’s 2011 MVP and was also selected as the MLS Cup MVP for his performance against the Dynamo. The Galaxy’s all-time leading scorer and the third-leading scorer in the history of MLS, Donovan was also selected to the MLS Best XI this season, marking the fourth straight year that he has been so honored.
He played in 34 of the 46 games that the Galaxy played in all competitions this season, scoring 16 goals and adding five assists for the club as they won the Supporters’ Shield for the second straight season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2011/12 CONCACAF Champions League, as well as winning the club’s third MLS Cup.
“This is a great opportunity for Landon,” Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “During the final months of the 2011 season he was limited because of an ongoing injury and he just started to get his legs back during the playoffs. Therefore, I think that this opportunity with Everton comes at a perfect time as he is rested and ready to go. We wish Landon and Everton the very best and look forward to Landon returning to the Galaxy on February 26.”
Donovan will return to the Galaxy in late-February ahead of the club’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals series against Toronto FC and their MLS season opener in March. The Galaxy will play their first official game of 2012 on Wednesday, March 7 when the club travels to Toronto for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. The Galaxy will open the 2012 MLS season will three days later on Saturday, March 10 at The Home Depot Center in MLS First Kick 2012, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. Time, opponent and broadcast information for this game will be included in the entire regular season schedule, which will be announced soon. For more information about this game or to purchase tickets, please visit the club’s official website at www.lagalaxy.com.
