Landon Donovan delighted at Everton return in loan deal from LA Galaxy

Posted Saturday, December 31, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Landon Donovan is delighted to be returning to Everton for a two-month loan spell.

The 29-year-old scored twice in 13 appearances for the Toffees in his two-month stint two years ago.

With 2012’s MLS season not beginning until March, Donovan has opted to spend a couple of months back at Goodison Park and revealed his joy at reuniting with past teammates.

“Who wouldn't want to come back to this? Just walking through this morning it felt good,” Donovan said. “The minute I stepped off the plane two years ago and got to Goodison to watch Everton’s game against Carlisle, I felt wanted here, I felt respected and I felt like a piece of their family.

“And that resonates and stays with you. So when I had the opportunity this year, there was no doubt that if it could work out I wanted to come back.”

Donovan comes to Everton fresh off winning MLS Cup with the Galaxy and feels confident that he's not only ready to play in the EPL again, but is a better player now than he was in his first stint with in England's top flight.

"Confidence is always important as a footballer," he said. "But I think, more importantly, I'm a more experienced and I think better player than I was a two years ago. And before you hit the sort of back end of your career physically, I think mentally you get better and better and I feel like I've gotten better. I feel like I've grown a lot over the last two years. I had a World Cup in between that time that helped me a lot, and I feel like these will be probably the best few years of my career."

Everton has stated that Donovan will be given a few training sessions before being tossed into action, but could be available as early as the club's Jan. 4 match against Bolton.