Donovan Loaned To Bayern Munich

Major League Soccer is sending another of its stars outside the country on a loan spell this winter, as ESPN reports that Landon Donovan will be heading to Bayern Munich on a short-term loan with an option to potentially extend the deal with the German club. The loan is similar to the arrangement between AC Milan and David Beckham - Donovan's teammate at the Los Angeles Galaxy - which runs from January until March, allowing the player to return to the United States for the start of the MLS regular season."The goal will be to see if we can get him long-term, at least until the end of the season," said Bayern head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who was a consultant for the Galaxy in recent times. "He's made an excellent impression here, so we've agreed to open talks with the MLS about a loan spell starting January 1, 2009.

"It's a fantastic situation for me," Klinsmann continued. "It gives me a chance to start the second half of the season with four strikers. That's how we imagine things developing."

Donovan had been training with the club as part of a 10-day stint as a guest player, but it was widely reported that Klinsmann was keen to sign the 26-year-old American. Galaxy officials, however, have stressed that Donovan remains under contract with the league and as such, he is expected to continue being a member of the Galaxy through 2009.

Landon was announced as the runner-up in MLS MVP voting to Guillermo Barros Schelotto on Thursday afternoon on the strength of his 20-goal season. He will be in attendance at Sunday's MLS Cup final at the Home Depot Center where he will be presented with the US Player of the Year Award for the fifth time in his career.