Landon Donovan ends retirement again, set to join Club Leon

Former United States international Landon Donovan is set to make his return from retirement a second time, announcing on Friday he is ready to join Liga MX side Club Leon.

Donovan, 35, called it quits on his playing career following the 2016 Major League Soccer season but is now turning his attention back to the soccer fields. Donovan, who retired the first time in 2014, took to Twitter on Friday and confirmed the move to the seven-time Liga MX champions.

“I don’t believe in walls. I want to go to Mexico, dress up in green and win trophies with Leon,” Donovan said via Twitter.

Rumors of Donovan’s return first started a few days ago when Leon announced the signing of Giles Barnes from Orlando City. Donovan happens to share the same agent as Barnes, which led Leon to inquire about the 35-year-old’s services. Now, what may have been seen as far-fetched idea is one of the shock signings of the 2018 Liga MX Clausura.

Despite being at the center of the US-Mexico soccer rivalry, Donovan has always been a respected figure in Mexico, even rejecting a move to Club America back in 2009. This comes to a surprise to many, however, and it will be interesting to see how long it takes him to return to full-match fitness and adapt to Liga MX’s style of play.

In addition to playing with the Galaxy and United States Men’s National team, Donovan has previous experience with Bayer Leverkusen, San Jose Earthquakes, Bayern Munich, and Everton.

What do you think? Excellent marketing decision by Leon or does Donovan really have enough left in the tank to help the “Panzas Verdes” win a title?