Everton FC News: Everton admit defeat in extending Landon Donovan’s loan

Mar 11 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton admit defeat in extending Landon Donovan’s loan at Goodison

Everton FC News: EVERTON have been forced to admit defeat in their attempts to extend Landon Donovan’s stay at the club.

Donovan will return to the LA Galaxy next week after Everton failed to convince the MLS side to prolong his 10-week loan spell for another month.

The United States international will now make his last appearance for David Moyes’s side in Saturday’s Premier League visit to Birmingham.

Donovan had made clear his desire to remain at Everton until April 15, with David Moyes admitting over the weekend that he would like to keep the 28-year-old. But Galaxy coach Bruce Arena was adamant the forward would return to Los Angeles on schedule, and with Everton not wanting to compromise their good relationship with the MLS side, they have reluctantly agreed to no longer pursue the matter.

Donovan has been impressive during his stay at Everton, scoring two goals in 12 appearances including a strike on his farewell Goodison appearance in last Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing of Hull City. That victory has rekindled hopes of European qualification, with Sylvain Distin convinced the feelgood factor has once again returned to the squad.

“That is something money can’t buy,” said the French centre-back. “The atmosphere and the chemistry between players is something you need, as well as big players.

“You need to feel good together as you spend a lot of time together, sometimes more time than we spend with our families! You have to work hard for each other and you need a good team spirit to do that.”

Meanwhile, Everton have declared the game with Fulham on Saturday, April 24 as the Official Supporters’ Club Day.

The event will be a celebration of the 2009-10 affiliated Supporters’ Clubs and an opportunity for them to proudly carry their official flag at Goodison. To mark the occasion, affiliated junior members can buy a match ticket for a discount £5.

Everton’s Premier League game against Aston Villa, which was due to take place on Saturday, April 10, must be rescheduled after the Midlands club reached the FA Cup semi-finals. No new date has yet been set.