CARSON, December 22 – USA and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan will be staying Stateside this offseason, passing on any chance to be loaned to a European club."While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel that it is important to continue to rest and recover this offseason as opposed to going on loan," Donovan said in a statement on Tuesday.
The American was loaned to English Premiere League club Everton from January-March, scoring two goals in 13 matches.
That spell in England launched a 10-month campaign that included the World Cup finals in South Africa – where Donovan scored three goals for the United States – and a run to Major League Soccer’s playoffs with the Galaxy.
Donovan admitted during the MLS playoffs in November that he was feeling mentally drained.
"We think (it’s) in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his postseason break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.
Everton manager David Moyes had appeared open to having the 28-year-old return, although he indicated in August that he thought Donovan would likely prove too expensive to bring back a second time.
Donovan, who spent the early part of 2009 on loan to Bayern Munich, said Everton was the only European destination he would have considered, but thought staying home was a wiser choice.
"I have been playing nearly nonstop for the past two years and I believe that this decision will allow me to perform at my best for the Galaxy and the national team throughout the upcoming year," he said.