Just weeks after he ruled out a winter loan move to Everton FC, Landon Donovan has admitted he'd relish the opportunity to return to the Toffees next year.
"I don't know in what capacity it will be, but I really, really hope that the offer still stands to go back next year, and that also weighed into this decision [of staying home in 2011]," Donovan told the Everton fan podcast, Followtonians.
Everton boss David Moyes had expressed interest in bringing the LA captain to England during this MLS offseason. Donovan declined the offer, citing fatigue from the Galaxy's deep postseason run and playing in last summer's World Cup.
"After the [MLS] season ended, my immediate thought was that there's no way I am going to be ready [for Everton]," he said.
Last winter Donovan made 10 league appearances for Everton during a loan spell in which he scored twice and helped the Toffees defeat Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. He quickly became a fan favorite and was named the club's Player of the Month for January.
"I don't know what the proper analogy is, but if you went to Disneyland when you were five years old, you're always going to want to go back," he said.
Back in September 2010, the US star had yet to rule out a winter loan move, telling Outside magazine following the Galaxy's 2-0 defeat to New York on Sept. 25 that, despite needing a break, "you only get so many chances" to play in the EPL.
However, Donovan withdrew himself from any possible loan deal on Dec. 21.
"That was hard, because I don't want to close that door," he said. "I always want the opportunity [to go back]. I mean, I'm an Evertonian for life now."
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