UPDATED: Donovan to Everton?

By: jen | December 8th, 2009

There have been a lot of rumors afloat regarding Landon Donovan’s next move. This one actually seems to have legs.

From ESPN:

U.S. national team forward Landon Donovan could have a new home this winter. The Guardian reported Tuesday that English premiership team Everton had made an approach to the Galaxy to sign Donovan on a loan deal.

Everton coach David Moyes hopes to strengthen his injury-plagued squad in the January transfer window and has targeted the 27-year-old Donovan, an international team-mate of the Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard. Donovan is coming off a season where he was named MLS’ Most Valuable Player.

It looks as though they are interested in a short term loan only at this time.

More information on Soccer by Ives.

Well, it looks like it’s going to happen. From Goal.com:

Everton manager David Moyes is close to agreeing a deal that will bring Los Angeles Galaxy’s USA international Landon Donovan to Goodison Park in January, Goal.com UK understands.

A source close to the club has said that Moyes’ has been looking to sign an additional midfielder for a while, and was informed of Donovan’s potential availability by USA teammate, Tim Howard.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

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Everton1888

By the way the america sign below and above is wrong. I think it's because my email address is '.com' instead of 'co.uk'. Anyway, just read that Donovan saw us win 3-1 on the weekend and is ready to play.
Everton1888

It looks like you're all worrying about how much play time Donovan is gonna get here at Everton. Don't. We happen to be having the worse season in about 7 years and we've had our two best midfielders, our best defender and our two best strikers injured for most of the season along with about 5 others. Donovan will fit in really well with the professional and friendly atmosphere and will play a lot. Hope he comes back to you fit and healthy in the summer.
Spiderman22

Donovan should do better at goodison than he did in Germany. Donovan shouldnbe
able to adjust with the speed of the english game given his own pace
David

I feel like I'm talkin to myself here, but regardless, the loan deal is now final:

http://www.soccerbyives.net/so...
David

So, the final word. Donovan signed a new 4 year contract with the Galaxy that will reportedly pay him close to $2 million a year. It allows him to play abroad on loans during the off season. He is expected to join Everton in January for a three month loan and return to the Galaxy shortly before the season begins.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/...
David

Press conference in 20 minutes or so, but apparently Donovan going on loan to Everton, but signed to a multi-year deal with the Galaxy with a big pay increase.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/so...
David

MLS says not so fast. http://www.socceramerica.com/i....

Guess money is at issue.
jen

Ives is saying it's a done deal:

http://www.soccerbyives.net/so...
David

Everton has 9 players with injury concerns, the third highest in the EPL. Even its healthy players have struggled with injuries this season. They are currently 15th place (out of 20) in EPL, but because of their finish last season are qualified for EUFA play. Donovan might not be a regular starter but I'd say he is highly likely to see regular playing time.
jen

Do you really think he'll sit? Haven't people been saying, for a while now, that they'd like to see him with a mid-tier EPL team (as opposed to Germany again or sitting a bench in Spain)? The assumption was that a mid-tier team in the EPL would actually give him playing time.

I'm not up on the EPL at all (perhaps if there were more hours in the day), so tell me, please, why he will or will not get playing time.
Daryl

If he gets plenty of time on the pitch, then it's a great move. But with all due respect to Everton, Donovan going to Goodison and sitting on the bench probably does his reputation more harm than good.
Elliott

I normally don't like to jog on the transfer treadmill, but Donovan should move to Everton if possible. However, I think the league still has two option years on his contract - so he'd really need to scream for any move
Dustin

Not really looking forward to watching Donovan ride the bench overseas. If it's for some playing time, then please let it happen.
David

Ives has comments too: http://www.soccerbyives.net/so....

I think this would be ideal. For Donovan it means time at a top level club in the best league to improve his skills and prove that he can handle a higher level of play. For the Galaxy it means not only that they don't lose him, but that he gains valuable experience. For the USMNT it means he isn't idle for months leading up to the world cup and that he'll be honing his skills right before the cup.

I saw an article commenting that right before the cup, a permanent move would not be good because it would be unsettling and not confidence boosting right before the cup. This resolves that possibility by giving him a few months at the higher level before returning to the comfort of MLS before departing for South Africa.

Hope it happens.
DC

i would rather see him in spain or italy where a more technique-driven style is played, but this could be a good fit. if he gets time on the pitch... he will produce... period! Everton is strapped for cash at the moment, so this is good quality for minimal price. plus, u know other clubs will be watching.
Johnny

Thumbs up, if true, and please don't get injured.