DONOVAN: FOOTBALL CAREER IN FOCUS
Landon Donovan holds a lot of individual records for the United States men’s national team and in Major League Soccer (MLS). The former Everton and Bayern Munich attacker is widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of football in the United States.
German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen gave Landon Donovan his professional football career start. He joined Bayer Leverkusen in 1999 and was at the club for six years before returning to the United States to sign Los Angeles Galaxy (LA Galaxy). It must be pointed out that Donovan spent some of his time at Bayer Leverkusen on loan at San Jose Earthquakes.
Landon Donovan returned to German football to play for Bayern Munich on loan and he was also at Premier League team Everton on two separate loan deals. Donovan signed for the Toffees as a loanee in 2010 before returning in the same capacity two years later. The attacker retired from football in 2014 only for him to make a brief comeback in the colours of LA Galaxy two years later. Two years after his brief return to LA Galaxy, Landon Donovan signed for Mexican side Club Leon. He also played for San Diego Sockers shortly after his time in Mexico. Landon Donovan played one season at San Diego Sockers.
Donovan holds the record for the most MLS Cup wins (six)and he has the most assists (136) in the history of the MLS. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award has been renamed after Landon Donovan to honour him. The award is now called the Landon Donovan MVP Award.
For the United States team, Landon Donovan has the most assists and the joint most goals alongside Clint Dempsey. Also, he hasthe second most appearance for his country. Donovan is the only player to record 50 goals and 50 assists for the United States.