Landon Donovan going back to Everton for two-month loan

Category: Football

Publish Date: 12-15-2011 04:47 PM -0500

The initial rumors of the LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan returning to cash-strapped and attack desperate Everton for a second loan stint in three seasons were rubbished, but after further discussions, a deal has been agreed upon. It has been announced that Donovan will rejoin Everton in January for a quick two-month stay, this after Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel said Donovan "chose to take the easy road and stay in the States" in a discussion on BBC radio about fellow American Clint Dempsey's success with Fulham. Coincidence?

From EvertonFC.com:

Discussions have been taking place between Goodison Park officials, LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer over the past 72 hours. The agreement reached on Thursday is pending paperwork to be finalised, and has the American international arriving to Everton over the Christmas period ahead of a two-month loan.

He would be eligible to play in Everton's game against Bolton Wanderers on 4 January, with the loan lasting until after the Merseyside derby at Anfield on 25 February.

Before the announcement was made, Donovan tweeted: "Once a Toffee, always a Toffee." Which wasn't taken as a sign of anything considering the fact that he often tweets about the club for which he scored two goals in 10 matches during the 2009/10 season. Despite his short stay, he still became such a popular Merseyside figure that Toffee fans took to Facebook to try and convince him to stay longer.

Just last weekend, however, Everton manager David Moyes said that he approached another MLSer, Thierry Henry, about a similar loan deal.

The timing of this decision is curious given Friedel's recent comments. Then again, Donovan did just get home after the Galaxy's Asia Pacific Tour, which came right after their MLS Cup winning season. Either way, Landon has another English Adventure of Epic Broportions on the horizon. When reached for comment, (our version of) Landon said:

"On the whole, I'm just really rum and stoked to bring back the noise for my broski David Moyes. Consider this a brotal influx of lush g-notes for the entire squad."

Landon Donovan and Everton will play Friedel's Spurs on January 11.

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