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Landon Donovan Comes out of Retirement to Join Club Leon

Christopher Simpson@@CJSimpsonBRX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistJanuary 13, 2018

CARSON, CA - APRIL 7: Landon Donovan during halftime at the Los Angeles Galaxy's MLS match against Montreal Impact at the StubHub Center on April 7, 2017 in Carson, California.  The LA Galaxy won the match 2-0  (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
Shaun Clark/Getty Images

Former U.S. men's national team and Los Angeles Galaxy star Landon Donovan has come out of retirement to join Liga MX side Club Leon.

The club announced the news via its Twitter account on Friday:

Club León @clubleonfc

¡Bienvenido Mr.@landondonovan! #SerFieraEsUnOrgullo 🦁 https://t.co/GPuBo16T00

The 35-year-old retired from the game in 2014 before temporarily returning to the field to play nine matches for the Galaxy in 2016.

Donovan tweeted his excitement at the move:

Landon Donovan @landondonovan

Presidente: me encantó la Ciudad. Es la mejor afición. @clubleonfc es un equipo histórico y ganador. No creo en los muros, quiero ir a México, vestirme de verde y ganar trofeos con León. Nos vemos muy pronto! https://t.co/Xqm4jX2hW7

Per Goal's Jon Arnold, he tweeted: "I loved the city, it's the best fans. Club Leon is a historic & winning team. I don't believe in walls. I want to go to Mexico, wear green & win trophies with Leon. We'll see each other very soon!" 

ESPN FC's Cesar Hernandez is eagerly anticipating watching the veteran in action:

Cesar Hernandez @cesarhfutbol

Can't wait to see 35-year-old Landon Donovan take on 45-year-old Conejo Perez next month. #LigaMXeng

Goal USA's Ives Galarcep was sceptical about the move but hopes Donovan can display the kind of form he did earlier in his career:

Ives Galarcep @SoccerByIves

Landon Donovan always had plenty of fans in Mexico, but this still feels like the most drawn-out hoax ever. Here's hoping he can recapture some of his old magic, and at the very least hopefully it means the return of those hilarious Mexican lotto commercials w/the fake mustache. https://t.co/efKrutmbVh

Donovan won six MLS Cups during his career, and the league's MVP trophy was named after him following his first retirement, having racked up 145 goals and 136 assists in the division during his time with the Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes.

His career also took him to Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Everton.

On the international stage, the forward earned 157 caps for the United States, netting a joint-record 57 goals and winning four CONCACAF Gold Cups.