Landon Donovan "definitely playing this year," according to Bruce Arena

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.