United States star Landon Donovan is set to
join Bayern Munich on loan in January, it was revealed Thursday, and the German
club hopes the likely two-and-a-half month deal could become permanent.
Donovan, who scored 20 goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer,
joined Bayern for a 10-day trial last Tuesday and impressed the team enough to
open the possibility of a move.
"He's made an excellent impression here, so we've agreed to open talks with MLS
about a loan spell starting [in] January," Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann said
on the team's website.
At just 26, Donovan is already the all-time leading scorer in U.S. history. He
showed off his abilities on Wednesday by scoring both goals for Bayern's first
team in a 2-1 win over Bayern's B team in a practice match.
Los Angeles teammate David Beckham previously agreed to join AC Milan on a loan
for part of the MLS offseason, and Donovan seems set to spend at least most of
his offseason in Munich.
"Landon has a verbal agreement with MLS to play in Europe for two-and-a-half
months, like Beckham's," Klinsmann said. "He's made such a good impression here
that we've agreed to talk to MLS.
"The goal will be to see if we can get him long term, at least until the end of
the season."
Donovan completed training with Bayern on Thursday and will return to the U.S.
on Friday. He will receive his record fifth U.S. Player of the Year award at
the MLS Cup final on Sunday.
With over 100 appearances for the U.S. - and 37 goals - Donovan would provide a
great option for Klinsmann behind Italian striker Luca Toni and German strikers
Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
Donovan was signed by Bayer Leverkusen when he was 16, but failed in his first
attempt in the Bundesliga. He's set for another chance with Bayern and may find
a niche with Podolski possibly leaving the club during the transfer window and
Toni and Klose both 30 or older.
Bayern Munich has won 21 German titles and the Champions League four times.
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