Galaxy's Donovan Signs New Four-Year MLS Contract
It was just announced at LA Live as you can see below.
Donovan: Committed to the Galaxy? (AP Photo)
And as part of that agreement, Donovan is allowed to go on loan to Everton or another team from Jan. 1 to March 15 that's been in contact with MLS. Although it has "not been finalized," Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said the front runner is Everton.
"This is further evidence the LA Galaxy and AEG are committed to building a strong team here in LA," Arena said. "He's a great building block to assure that year in year out we will have a quality team here in LA."
"This has been a very, I would say, interesting decision for me," Donovan said. "Its been very difficult at times. And at the end of the day after a lot of thinking, a lot of soul-searching, this is the place I want to be."
New contract wouldn't have happened without AEG/MLS allowing him to go out on loan, Donovan said.
Wonder how much more latitude/control the deal gives him over any possible trades, especially overseas after the World Cup?
Updated: One reported rumor is the new deal is worth more than $1.2 million a year, which if memory serves is an increase of about $300,000.
Updated: Here's the story in Thursday's dead tree edition.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
too bad, I was hoping Landon would go over seas and help get more respect for American players. Hopefully an annual spring loan will help accomplish that and his yearly return will help mls get more respect.... I take it back, it sounds like a good deal for American soccer!
Congrats to Donovan! Selfishly, I'm elated that he's staying here in LA. But as a big fan of his, I appreciate everything he has dine for LA and my favorite club and would had been supported of him no matter his decision. I hope he kicks butt in Europe and am looking forward to watching him for a few weekends on FSC and ESPN2. Go Galaxy!
The ideal result is that Landon is universally applauded for doing well at Everton and for the USMNT at the World Cup and then stays with the Galaxy. The reason for him to go abroad would be to prove he can do it and to improve, but if he can do these things and stay here, it is much better for MLS and US soccer in the long term because it helps establish that MLS is a credible league. If our star can hop over there and succeed in the so-called best leagues and highest competition, then why should US players start their careers in Norway and why shouldn't foreign players consider MLS a reasonable option? Money is really the only reason and with improved play and recognizable stars comes better attendance and ad revenue.
I Love LA ..............Galaxy.
Good on you to stay home. You got nothing to prove to nobody anymore.
"Simply the best, better than all the rest".......who said that Nick?