The Los Angeles Galaxy announced on Sunday that forward Landon Donovan will rejoin the club in training in the last week of March after requesting an extended leave of absence.

Donovan stepped away from the team after helping the Galaxy win their fourth MLS Cup in December, and he hasn't featured for the United States national team since that time either.

"After a series of collaborative discussions between Landon, his representative and our key club leaders, we have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the final week of March," Galaxy general manager and head coach Bruce Arena said. "We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it will allow Landon the time he needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming season. We remain focused on our preparation for the start of the 2013 season and look forward to Landon rejoining us next month."

Donovan is the club's all-time leader in goals with 92, while also amassing 79 assists in 194 regular season appearances over the past eight seasons for the Galaxy.