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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2008

Soccer: American Donovan says he's ready for Europe

Associated Press

MUNICH, Germany — Landon Donovan may get his wish to play in Europe again, and it could be at Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich.

Donovan has been practicing with Bayern since Tuesday, the day he was voted U.S. player of the year for a record fifth time. The 26-year-old forward led the MLS this year with 20 goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy, playing alongside David Beckham.

He's in Germany for 10 days to stay in shape, but club bosses have been closely watching him. He had two unsuccessful stints with another Bundesliga team, Bayer Leverkusen, from 2001-05.

"It's a great opportunity for me to see how football is played here," Donovan said on the club's Web site today. "I'd like to play in Europe. In Leverkusen, I was young and I did not have the necessary maturity. I wasn't ready yet. Now, I am different person, a different player."

Donovan is the American career scoring leader with 37 goals in 105 international appearances.

"He is the exceptional player in North America, including Mexico," Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann said on the club's Web site. "Landon knows that Europe is where it's at in football. And he has all the qualities to break through in Europe."