According to Grant Wahl at SI.com, Landon Donovan has reached an agreement on a new multi-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Galaxy is expected to make an official announcement on Wednesday.
Donovan’s extension also means the Galaxy has the maximum allotment of three Designated Players, and all three (Donovan, González, Robbie Keane) are signed to long-term deals.
Donovan was in the final year of his contract and after taking a three-month sabbatical from soccer earlier this year, Donovan has enjoyed a resurgence this summer for the U.S. during its run to the Gold Cup championship and lately for the Galaxy. He has seven league goals for L.A. this season, including four in the last three games. Donovan is also expected to make his return to the U.S. World Cup qualifying team next week for the first time in more than a year.
Donovan’s extension with the Galaxy is the latest example of Major League Soccer continuing to invest in American born talent. Seattle’s signing of U.S. captain Clint Dempsey, L.A.’s Designated Player extension of Omar González and now Donovan’s extension with L.A. are signs that national team starters feel they can do well at the World Cup while being based in MLS.
The same could be said for U.S. players like Clarence Goodson, who recently returned to MLS with the San Jose Earthquakes.
