Landon Donovan is returning to Major League Soccer ... for a friendly.
Club Leon toyed with the idea of sending Donovan to the San Jose Earthquakes before revealing that the team would instead be facing the MLS side in a March 24 exhibition.
Leon's initial post on Twitter seemed to suggest that Donovan's transfer to the Earthquakes was imminent.
"The player Landon Donovan will return to his country next March, in the interest of the Earthquakes," Leon's tweet read.
Breaking News⚡️
— Club León (@clubleonfc) February 12, 2018
El jugador @landondonovan volverá a su país el próximo mes de marzo, ante el interés del @SJEarthquakes de la @MLS... pic.twitter.com/aZNBVclDv5
Confirmation of the friendly arrived shortly after to end hopes of a potential comeback.
¡Es oficial!
— Club León (@clubleonfc) February 12, 2018
El próximo sábado 24 de marzo @landondonovan y todo nuestro equipo estaremos en San José, CA para enfrentar a @SJEarthquakes.
Nos vemos en el @AvayaStadium. pic.twitter.com/2F1PVwb1qi
It's yet another demonstration of the 35-year-old's influence in North American soccer - something Leon is certainly cashing in on.
Earthquakes fans will undoubtedly take the opportunity to boo Donovan, who spent the majority of his career with bitter rival LA Galaxy.
He abruptly ended his retirement a second time last month to join Leon, making his debut as an 83rd-minute substitute in last weekend's 2-1 win over Puebla.
