MLS Won't Allow Donovan Permanent Transfer

By: Stephen Patterson

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced that he won't allow Landon Donovan to transfer to a European club permanently, saying the league needs to keep it's biggest star. Donovan became a national team hero with his three goal performance in the 2010 World Cup and likely would've drawn interest from several top European clubs.

Donovan signed a four year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy in December 2009, with his base salary for this season being a meager $2.05 million. Compared to other top international players, that's a pretty small deal for a player as skilled as Donovan. Although he has said he wants to play in the U.S. for the time being, when asked about possible European offers he said "if there's something serious to look at, I will".

With his three goal performance in this World Cup, Donovan became the all-time goals leader for the U.S. team in the tournament with five. If he wants to play in 2014, there is a good chance he will only further add to that record. While Donovan should want to help soccer gain popularity in the United States and play here, the decision to play with a major international club in his prime should be his alone to make. Unless the Galaxy offer Donovan more money to be the face of the league, he should be allowed to go to a European club if the opportunity arises.