Landon Donovan Finally Joins Bayern Munich

The LA Galaxy finally announced Monday that forward Landon Donovan has joined German Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich on a two-month loan spell.

Donovan, who led Major League Soccer with 20 goals last season, is scheduled to return to Los Angeles on March 8, two weeks ahead of the 2009 season opener against D.C. United at The Home Depot Center on March 22.

“I’ve appeared for a number of teams already,” Donovan told Bayern’s official website. “I can play football, and I know what has to be done out on the pitch. I’m ready for the challenge, and when my chance comes, I’ll take it.”

Donovan, 26, initially joined Bayern on a 10-day trial in November. He is currently with Bayern in Dubai where the club is training during the Bundesliga’s winter break and will play five friendlies before returning for the second half of their domestic season.

“We’re all excited by him,” Bayern head coach Jurgen Klinsmann told FCBayern.com. “He’ll get playing time, in the friendlies, in the DFB Cup and in the Bundesliga. He has unbelievable pace and dribbling skill, he looks for the one-on-one situations, and he scores goals.”

Donovan’s loan spell is similar to that of fellow Galaxy star David Beckham, who is at AC Milan on a two-month loan. One benefit of Donovan’s Germany adventure is that he will be fully fit for the World Cup Qualifier between the U.S. and Mexico in Columbus in February.