Landon Donovan, often recognized as the most accomplished player in both MLS and U.S. Men’s National team history, announced his retirement on Thursday.
He'll finish out the season with the LA Galaxy before retiring.
Donovan is 32 years old and will be 33 on March 4, 2015. He has played 14 years in Major League Soccer, and has also played for Bayer Leverkusen II in Germany, Bayer Leverkusen in the Bungesliga, Bayern Munich, and Everton in the Premier League.
“After careful deliberation and many conversations with those closest to me, I have decided that this will be my last year as a professional soccer player,” said Donovan in a statement.
“It has been more than anything I could have dreamed of to represent the LA Galaxy, the San Jose Earthquakes, Everton, U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer throughout my career. There are so many people I want to thank who have inspired me, guided me and helped me on this incredible journey. I simply could not have accomplished what I did during my playing career without an overwhelming amount of support from my family, my friends and many others. I plan to express my gratitude to everyone in a more detailed manner at a later date; however, for now, I want to single out the fans. You are the lifeblood of this sport and, without you, none of us would be fortunate to call ourselves professional soccer players in MLS.”
Donovan, born in Ontario, California, has played for the Galaxy off-and-on since 2005.
Donovan also played for the U.S. Men’s National team for from 2000 through 2013, scoring 57 goals in 156 appearances.
He career stats are 175 goals in 437 appearances. 138 of the goals came in the MLS, in which he also has 124 assists and a range of trophies.
Donovan is making $4.25 million this year as his salary has escalated every since he joined the Galaxy. He made $900,000 per year from 2005 through 2009, before jumping to $2.05 million in 2012. The salary then increased to $2.3 million, $2.4 million, and then $2.5 million in 2013, according to Spotrac.
Celebrity Net Worth says that Donovan’s net worth currently stands at $12 million.
As for his love life--Donovan was wed to actress Bianca Kajlich in December 2006, but they divorced in 2010.
He was linked to hotel sales executive Hannah Bartell by TMZ in June. Sources told the website that the pair have been dating for about a year and are pretty series.
