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U.S. legend Donovan agrees to join Mexican club team

[January 13, 2018] Landon Donovan, one of the best men's soccer players in United State history, is returning to action -- south of the border.

Donovan, 35, agreed to join Club Leon of Liga MX. The second half of the Mexican club season just began, with Leon winning its opener last Saturday.

In a message to Leon team president Jesus Martinez Murguia, Donovan wrote in Spanish on his Twitter account (English translation): "President, I loved the City. You have the best fans. @clubleonfc is a historic and winning team. I do not believe in walls, I want to go to Mexico, wear green and win trophies with Leon. See you soon!"

Club Leon soon posted on its Twitter account (English translation): "Welcome Mr.@landondonovan!#BeingFierceIsAPride," accompanied by a picture of Donovan in a green and white Leon uniform.

Neither the player nor the club announced when Donovan would join the team.

Donovan originally retired after the 2014 season with Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy. He came back to play six games with the Galaxy in 2016, then retired again. Most recently, the Southern California native was working to bring an MLS expansion team to San Diego.

He was part of MLS Cup championship teams with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001 and 2003 and with the Galaxy in 2005, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

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In 157 appearances for the U.S. men's national team, Donovan scored 57 goals, tied with Clint Dempsey for the all-time record.

Donovan made his World Cup debut at age 20 in 2002, when he was selected the Best Young Player at the event in South Korea and Japan. He played for the U.S. squad again in the 2006 World Cup in France and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. His last-minute goal produced a 1-0 win over Algeria that got the American team out of the group stage in 2010.

He was not selected by then-coach Jurgen Klinsmann as part of the 2014 U.S. team headed to the World Cup in Brazil, a move Donovan believed was a personal slight.

In 12 World Cup games, Donovan scored five goals.

Donovan also had brief stints with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Germany's Bundesliga and two loan spells with Everton in the English Premier League.

--Field Level Media

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