Landon Donovan plans to retire
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PORTLAND, Ore. -- U.S. soccer icon Landon Donovan will retire from the sport at the end of the current Major League Soccer season, he revealed on Thursday.
The Los Angeles Galaxy, his MLS club for the past decade, is expected to host a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
Donovan, 32, is the top goal-scorer in MLS history as well as the top scorer in U.S. national team history. In a post on his official Facebook page, Donovan discussed his decision to step down.
"I don't write these words lightly and this day carries mixed emotions for me. I am sad to leave a profession that has brought me so much joy.
"However, after spending half my life as a professional soccer player, I also am excited to begin a new chapter and pursue other opportunities that will challenge me and allow me to grow as a person."
While Donovan did not indicate explicitly what are his post-playing plans, he suggested he will stay involved in the game in some capacity.
"And while my career as a player will soon be over, rest assured I will stay connected on many levels to the beautiful game.
"As we enter a transformative time for the sport, I will do everything I can to help the continued growth of soccer in the United States. I look forward to making a difference, pursuing my passions and meeting all of you along the way in this next phase of my life."
Donovan had agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Galaxy just a year ago, pronouncing himself revitalized after an extended self-imposed sabbatical from the sport.
He took several months off after winning the Galaxy's second straight MLS Cup in December 2012 and spent some time in Cambodia.
Donovan will bring to a close an illustrious career which has seen him earn 156 caps for the United States, in which he scored 57 goals and had 58 assists -- both national team records.
He played in three World Cups (2002, 2006 and 2010), scoring five goals, including a dramatic group-winner against Algeria in 2010, but was omitted from Jurgen Klinsmann's squad for this year's tournament in Brazil. He has said he was surprised and disappointed by Klinsmann's decision, feeling he had done enough in training camp to warrant inclusion on his fourth team.
At the club level, Donovan is a five-time MLS Cup winner and was league MVP in 2009. He also holds league records for goals in the regular season (138) and playoffs (22) and won the Golden Boot in 2008.
The announcement comes one day after Donovan was named MVP of the MLS All-Star Game for scoring the winner against German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Donovan has four goals and seven assists in 17 games for the Galaxy this season as a midfielder and a forward.
The Southern California native began his professional career with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany before making his MLS debut in 2001 with San Jose, where he won championships in 2001 and 2003.
A return to Leverkusen followed, after which Donovan joined the LA Galaxy. He won his first MLS Cup with the Galaxy in 2005 but it would be six years before Donovan won his fourth, alongside fellow designated players David Beckham and Robbie Keane.
He also spent a brief, forgettable time on loan to Bayern Munich in 2009, but enjoyed more successful loans with Everton in the Premier League in 2010 and 2012.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
