Who says Landon Donovan isn't as big as David Beckham? The recently minted U.S. soccer player of the year and MLS MVP runner-up is swinging his own Beckham inspired winter loan, moving to German powerhouse Bayern Munich, officially after spending the last 10 or so days training in Bavaria. Bayern coach, and one-time California semi-pro league player, Jürgen Klinsmann confirmed the loan, too.
There's not a whole lot more to say about this move that already hasn't been done to death. It's good that Donovan is finally deciding to give Europe another shot after flaming out twice at Bayer Leverkausen. It's great that the U.S. can add a player, albeit likely a fringe player, to a G-14, Champions League mainstay like Bayern. (Hopefully he didn't make his choice of European club by playing 'FIFA 09' and putting himself on Bayern.)
Donovan is certainly a lightning rod for U.S. fans or soccer fans in America in general that support other countries. Though some like him, he's generally derided for being soft and scoffed at by ex-pats for being a nothing more than a good player in a crap league.
What also needs to be addressed is if Donovan will end up with Bayern long-term after March or the Bundesliga season ends in May, or if he'll return to the Galaxy and resume MLS-poster boy duties.
This news might actually be a bigger for German fans, as in if this moves paves the way for Lukas Podolski's long-rumored move away from Bayern.
Whatever ends up happening, now we'll finally get to see who the real Donovan is.
Bayern, Donovan Agree to Loan originally appeared on Soccer FanHouse on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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