Donovan has played for Germans Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich

Everton forward Landon Donovan says he feels at home with the Blues after scoring his first goal in the 2-0 victory over Sunderland on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old US international is on a three-month loan from LA Galaxy.

"You kind of get a sense of family and community here that I haven't felt at other European clubs," Donovan told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I think that wears off on you and when you feel comfortable and you feel at home you're going to play better."

He added: "It's been seamless for me since day one, I walked into the locker room and Phil Neville was in there and he just talked to me like I was part of the team. He made me feel normal and everybody is the same way."

Donovan has made a positive impact in his short time at the Blues, starting four games and scoring his first goal against the Black Cats.

The way in which he has settled into life at Goodison Park has not gone unnoticed by his team-mates either, including his compatriot Tim Howard.

"He's very composed," said goalkeeper Howard. "But it's hard to come into a team and pick up the system and how you fit in.

"That's going to slowly come and he'll get better. He's a top player and he's very humble and works hard.

"He'll accept the criticism and he'll put that into the plan and get better and better."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version