Landon Donovan will return to play in Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy in late March, according to a statement made by Galaxy coach Bruce Arena via the L.A. Galaxy on Twitter:

The 30-year-old's playing future was thought to be unclear after the Galaxy gave him some time off at the start of the year—especially when he started talking about retirement as well—but he will return to his former club for the 2013 season in L.A.

Arena said in a statement on the club's official website:

After a series of collaborative discussions between Landon [Donovan], his representative and our key club leaders, we have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the final week of March. We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it will allow Landon the time he needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming season.

The statement comes as great news for Galaxy fans, who will no doubt welcome the American international star back into their midst for the upcoming season.

The midfielder and forward holds the record for the most team goals (92) during his eight seasons at the club, and also has three titles for the club in that time. His international record is also prolific, with Donovan netting 49 goals in 144 outings for the United States men's national team.

But more importantly, Donovan brings experience and leadership every time he takes the field, and is a huge retention for the club going forward this year.

The Washington Times reports that Donovan appears likely to miss the first few Galaxy games of the season, and may actually not end up playing for his old club until the end of March, or even later than that. The veteran will likely miss L.A.'s season-opener against Chicago on March 3 as well as Chivas USA (March 17) and Colorado (March 23) before he lines up once more in L.A.

Yet having said that, you won't find too many Galaxy fans complaining about the exact date Donovan actually does take the field again and do what he does best.

They're just glad that he is coming back once more.

So too are the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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