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'I'm done'

Landon Donovan retires from football – USA soccer legend calls it quits

LA Galaxy ace says he can't even chase his son around the house anymore

Landon Donovan has retired from football after an 18-year career

LANDON DONOVAN has retired from professional football with immediate effect.

The USA soccer legend confirmed the news and quipped that he "can't even chase my son around my house."

 Landon Donovan has retired from football after an 18-year career
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Landon Donovan has retired from football after an 18-year careerCredit: Getty Images

Donovan told Yahoo: "Yeah I'm done. No more playing for me. I have not [gone public]. But that is definitely the case.

"I can't even chase my son [Talon] around the house, so I don't think so."

Donovan was linked with the Swansea City job when Bob Bradley was sacked.

The American legend initially came out of retirement last September to help his beloved club after he stopped playing for nearly two years.

Now at 35, Donovan has finally hung up his boots after 157 caps for the USA national side - scoring an unrivalled 57 goals in the process.

He started his career in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen having been discovered at a youth tournament in Europe, and although he starred for the reserve side, was sent on loan for four seasons to San Jose Earthquakes where he won two MLS Cup's.

After making his debut for Leverkusen's senior side in the 2004/05 season, he left to join LA Galaxy on a permanent deal after he struggled in the Bundesliga, scoring no goals in nine games.

 Landon Donovan is widely regarded as one of the finest American footballer's
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Landon Donovan is widely regarded as one of the finest American footballer'sCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Whilst playing for the Galaxy, he went on three different loan spells during the off-season of the MLS, and he returned to Germany to play for giants Bayern Munich in the 2008/09 campaign.

However once again he struggled to find his feet in the Bundesliga, and after seven games in all appearances, his loan deal was not extended.

It was in the Premier League where he found a second home, signing for Everton in both the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons.

He played 22 times for the Toffees, and although he only found the back of the net twice, cemented himself as a fans favourite - winning the club's player of the month award twice.

During his time with LA Galaxy, he won a further four MLS Cups's as well as two Supporters' Shield's and one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and won a whopping four CONCACAF Gold Cup's with the national side.

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