The former US national team forward and Everton loanee came out of retirement this week to re-join his old club on a deal for the remainder of the 2016 MLS season.
After sensationally coming out of retirement to re-join the LA Galaxy, Landon Donovan has told the club’s official website of his excitement at the chance to play alongside new teammate Steven Gerrard.
Donovan, who originally hung up his boots in December 2014 after helping the Galaxy secure their fifth MLS Cup title, re-signed with his old team on Thursday for the rest of the 2016 campaign and could making his playing comeback as soon as this Sunday’s home game against Orlando City SC.
Gerrard looks unlikely to feature on the day due a hamstring injury which has kept him out of the last two matches, but Donovan cannot wait to link up with the former Liverpool captain over the coming months – even though his allegiances lie with the blue half of Merseyside after enjoying two offseason loan spells at Everton in 2010 and 2012.
“Steven Gerrard is a guy that I’ve admired my whole life and career watching from afar from across the pond,” the former US national team forward told LAGalaxy.com. “Unfortunately, he chose to play for the wrong team in Liverpool, but we don’t hold that against him!
“He’s been a legend and an idol in this game forever, so to step onto the field with him will be really special.”
According to Donovan, the catalyst for his decision to come out of retirement where the events of the Galaxy’s 0-0 draw at the Vancouver Whitecaps two weeks ago, when Gerrard, defender Jelle van Damme and striker Gyasi Zardes all suffered injuries.
Zardes was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken foot, while former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong then left the club by mutual consent to join Turkish giants Galatasaray only a few days later, freeing up salary cap space to bring Donovan back on board.
How big a role the 2009 league MVP will have in Bruce Arena’s side remains to be seen after spending 21 months away from the game, but he remains confident that he still has the ability to be a difference-maker during their playoff push.
“I’m under no illusion that I’m going to come back and be able to play 90 minutes – maybe not for the rest of the year,” Donovan added to LAGalaxy.com. “But what I talked to Bruce about was I think I can get fit enough and back in the groove enough where I can maybe make a few plays on the field that’ll make a difference in the long run.
“This team is loaded with talent. They’re a team that’s had a lot of injuries but still find themselves tied for second place right now in the West. They don’t need a lot right now, but losing Gyasi and Nigel de Jong does hurt a little bit, and if I can help fil that void a little bit, that’d be great I think.
“Some of my qualities – even though the physical side has gone a little bit – can still make a difference in a game or in the locker room away from the field. If all those little things add up to one play or one moment that can help propel a team to the championship, that would feel great for me.”
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