Landon Donovan will return to the Galaxy this season. (Harry How, Getty Images)

L.A. Galaxy and U.S. National team forward Landon Donovan will not be retiring from soccer. At least, not yet. Speaking to Galaxy Insider’s Adam Serrano, Galaxy head Coach Bruce Arena said that Donovan will return to the team despite not being present at the first day of preseason training.

Donovan spoke towards the end of last season about losing his passion for playing soccer and planned to take an extended break from the game at the conclusion of the season to ponder his future. U.S. National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann met personally with Donovan to discuss the striker’s role with the national team, but said no definitive decision had been made at that time.

A return to MLS play doesn’t necessarily mean that Donovan will re-join the United States for its World Cup qualifying campaign this year, however. Donovan, 30, holds the record for most goals scored in U.S. National Team history and has been the face of soccer in the United States for the better part of a decade.

Bruce Arena on @LAGalaxy capt. @landondonovan : "He's definitely playing this year…We're just working out the return date." #LAGalaxy #MLS—
Adam Serrano (@LAGalaxyInsider) January 21, 2013

The Los Angeles Galaxy will send Landon Donovan to Everton FC on a two-month loan, according to the Galaxy’s official site.

Donovan, 29, will return to the Galaxy at the start of the Major League Soccer season in late February. This loan marks the second time in three years that the American soccer star has played in the Premier League on a short-term basis. In his last 13 game stint with Everton FC, Donovan scored two goals.

“The opportunity to return to Everton and play for such a well-respected club and a manager that I hold in such high regard was something that was simply too good to pass up. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Everton in 2010 and I’m hopeful that we can experience similar success this time around,” Donovan said in a statement on the team’s website. “I want to thank David Moyes and Bruce Arena, as well as executives from both clubs and Major League Soccer for allowing me this unique and special opportunity.”

Donovan helped the Galaxy win the MLS Cup in 2011 by scoring the game winning goal against the Houston Dynamo in the championship match. The midfielder scored 16 goals overall in 2011.