Landon Donovan to join Bayern Munich on Loan

American star Landon Donovan is set to move to German giants Bayern Munich on loan from the LA Galaxy until March or the end of the European season.  Landon has been in Germany training with the side and was interviewed about the potential move during last week's MLS playoff game on Fox Soccer Channel.

Juergen Klinsmann is the current Bayern Munich head coach and was the technical advisor for the LA Galaxy before taking the job.  Thus he and Landon have a good relationship going back a few years and Klinsmann has a home in Southern California.

The 26 yr old Donovan 26 has over 100 caps for the US National Team and led the MLS last season in scoring.

"The goal will be to see if we can get him long term, at least until the end of the season," Klinsmann told the Bayern's website.  Klinsmann paid tribute to the midfielder's ability, saying: "Landon is a player who bring all sorts of qualities, he has developed into one of the top players in North America and Mexico."

Landon has previously played in the Bundesliga at Bayer Leverkusen when he was much younger.  He struggled in those times, but he is much more experienced and mature now.   Donovan said he is enjoying his time in Munich and is keen to stay.

"As a person and a player, I am completely different now to how I was then, I have matured. I am ready. I believe I can keep up with all the other players, even if I am not the best player here."

Having struggled to make the grade in Germany last time, Donovan admits he has learned from the experience. "I recognise Leverkusen wasn't the problem, I was," he said. "I just wasn't ready for it."

And Bayern manager Uli Hoeness has been impressed with what he has seen so far. "What he has shown so far is okay, he can certainly kick," said Hoeness.  His loan follows that of David Beckham to AC Milan, also for three months, though in contrast Galaxy and Milan have both said that deal will end in March.