Everton fan favourite Landon Donovan is to be honoured with his own statue in his native California to stand alongside David Beckham.
The 39-year-old – who forged a special bond with Blues supporters during two hugely-popular loan spells in the 2009/10 and 2011/12 seasons – is to have his likeness crafted to go on display outside the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park Stadium in Carson.
Donovan, who is now owner-manager of San Diego Loyal in the second tier USL Championship, scored 141 goals in 317 games for the Galaxy between 2005-16, helping them to win the MLS (Major League Soccer) Cup four times.
The Los Angeles Times quotes Donovan as saying: “It’s a little bit hard to explain because, in theory, unless you’re a former Confederate general, a statue is eternal. So I understand the significance of it.
“I’m incredibly honoured and proud to have been a part of a club that ultimately had a lot of success and that I could really contribute to. My family and I are incredibly grateful.”
Donovan’s statue, which will be sculpted by husband and wife team Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, who did both the Beckham statue in 2019 and the one of Michael Jordan outside the Chicago Bulls’ home court, will be unveiled on October 3 in a pre-game ceremony ahead of Galaxy’s derby match against LAFC.
Back in March this year, Donovan reiterated his love for Everton during an exclusive interview with the ECHO in which he spoke of the special atmosphere at the Blues home ground.
He said: “I’ve played in hundreds of stadiums throughout world and there’s nowhere like Goodison – not even close.”
