GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Landon Donovan, considered one of the greatest American soccer players of all time, will be part of a three-day youth camp in Grand Rapids this summer.

Donovan will be joined by Brian Ching and Stuart Holden on behalf of their organization, Helm Elite, for the camp at MVP Fieldhouse in Cascade on July 15-17. It will be hosted by the Grand Rapids Football Club, which made the announcement Friday.

Organizers said registration will be posted at a later date on the Helm website.



In addition to the camp, Helm Elite will spend time with GRFC staff, coaches, players, and fans to promote soccer in West Michigan and raise funds for local charities.

Grand Rapids FC, which over the summer attracted crowds in excess of 6,500 as a first-year fourth-tier program, enjoyed a number of exchanges with Donovan on Twitter that ultimately led to the visit.

"When Brian, Stu and I launched HELM Soccer back in May, 2015 we instantly heard from GRFC in the Twittersphere," Donovan said. "The demand and excitement was amazing so it was a no-brainer to bring Helm to Grand Rapids."

"We couldn't be more excited that Landon, Brian, and Stu are coming to put on a camp here in Grand Rapids" said Matt Roberts, president of Grand Rapids FC. "To be chosen as a host city for one of Helm Elite's camps is truly an honor. It is a testament to the growth of the game here in West Michigan and our fans who made it clear to Helm that this is a great market to be in."

Donovan, now 33, is the all-time leader in goals and assists for the U.S. National Team, and is a four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award. He also won a record six Major League Soccer Cups and is the league's all-time scorer (144 goals) and assists leader (136). The award for the league's MVP is named after him.

Ching, 37, played 12 years in MLS - most with the Houston Dynamo - and represented the U.S. national team for eight years.

Holden, 30, was most recently with English club Bolton Wanderers. Holden was with the U.S. at the 2008 Summer Olympics, 2009 and 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The three created Helm, which "strives to empower America's youth with these principles: (H)umility (E)ducation (L)eadership and (M)otivation." The group is also committed to giving back to local and national charities.

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.