Donovan: Everton is my family too

On-loan Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan is open to another return to Everton in the future. The USA international will sign off his second short-term spell at Goodison Park after Saturday's home FA Cup fifth-round tie against Blackpool. However, he has enjoyed his time on Merseyside, saying that "there is something magical which captures you when you walk into Goodison", and would consider coming back if asked by manager David Moyes. "I would approach it the same way I have approach it each year," said Donovan. "One: Am I physically able to do it. Two: Does he [Moyes] want me to come back. Three: Do I feel like I can contribute and benefit the club? "I'm not coming back if it is just for me to have an experience. I have too much respect for the club, manager and players to do that. The expectation is very clear if I come back and if I feel I can do that and they want me to come back then I would absolutely do it." In any case, Donovan has pledged to return to the club again whether as an active participant or just as an observer. "I know I'll be back here but I don't know if I'll be back as a player, but I hope I will," he told evertontv. "I don't think my agent would appreciate me saying this is the only club I'd come back to because he'd lose some leverage in negotiations, but I can't imagine playing anywhere else. There is something magical which captures you when you walk into Goodison and it doesn't let you go." Ideally the American would love to sign off with a goal, as he has yet to score, in front of the fans who have warmly welcomed him for a second time. But he insists he can leave pleased with what he has done. "There is no question these two trips to Everton have made me a better player and better person," Donovan added. "As long as we advance through the cup I'd be happy, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to score. "At an earlier part of my career it would probably have bothered me not to have scored. Scoring has been a big part of my career, but as long as I am contributing and the team is doing well I'm happy. "Most clubs around the world fans are happy if you give everything you have, at Everton that is all they really ask of you. I am very fortunate to play in a couple of different places where I think I have the respect of the people. Of course I am excited to get home to my family and friends and team-mates in LA, but although I've only been here a short time and I feel like this is my family too."