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Social media has been set ablaze this fine Thursday by reports that Landon Donovan is close to coming out of retirement and returning to MLS as an active player.
American Soccer Now contributor Blake Thomsen was first to report on the possibility.
Hearing from multiple sources that @landondonovan is close to coming out of retirement to rejoin @lagalaxy for remainder of season
— Blake Thomsen (@blakecthomsen) September 8, 2016
After panic and pandemonium set in on Twitter, MLSSoccer.com writer, Sam Stejskal, confirmed he had heard something very similar and wasn’t sure how he’d be allocated within the MLS structure.
I've heard the same thing. Questions about how MLS would allocate him. Whether or not he'd be FA apparently an issue https://t.co/MH2sRCF3jy
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) September 8, 2016
Donovan retired after winning MLS Cup with the Galaxy in the 2014 season. He hasn’t played a competitive match since and has been exploring coaching and ownership opportunities.
With the Galaxy losing Gyasi Zardes for the rest of this season with a broken foot, this sort of makes sense. They need attacking players and by all accounts, Landon has kept himself in great shape while away from the game.
This is far from being a sure thing as of right now, but it appears as if it could happen. It would be very interesting to see just how much Landon Donovan still has to offer to the game of soccer at only 34 years of age.
UPDATE: Kevin Baxter of the LA Times confirms the rumor.
Yes @landondonovan is returning to the #LAGalaxy announcement could come as early as today. And Nigel de Jong's move was central to the deal
— Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) September 8, 2016
UPDATE #2: It’s official! He’s back!
He's back. pic.twitter.com/tOEduyVv7u
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 8, 2016