The LA Galaxy announced this afternoon that captain Landon Donovan will not be going on loan to England this winter break. The Galaxy’s all-time leading scorer will forgo loan opportunities when the international transfer window re-opens Jan. 1. Donovan went on loan to Everton in 2010, as part of more than 50 games Donovan played last year including the World Cup with the USMNT.
↵↵↵“We think in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his postseason break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels," Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. "We expect Landon to join our club for the start of preseason training next month as we begin to prepare for the 2011 MLS season."
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Donovan was named US soccer male athlete of the year on Monday, for a record fourth time. Not only did he go on loan in 2010 to Everton, but also to Bayern Munich in 2009. Each time he returned to the Galaxy in mid-March.
↵↵"While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel that it is important to continue to rest and recover this offseason as opposed to going on loan," Donovan said. "I never considered being loaned to a club other than Everton, but I have been playing nearly non-stop for the past two years and I believe that this decision will allow me to perform at my best for the Galaxy and the National Team throughout the upcoming year. I look forward to re-joining my Galaxy teammates for the start of preseason training next month and beginning our quest for another MLS Cup championship."
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