My move on loan to Everton in January 2010 was a step into the unknown for both parties.

I confess to not knowing a huge deal about the Club when I originally came from LA Galaxy. I am a guy from the States and had played most of my soccer at home. I was aware I was joining a long-standing Premier League club, of course, but there was no real understanding of the history and sheer scale of the place.

If you want to know how much I had to learn, consider how I spent my flight to England.

I spent the whole time in the air undertaking a crash course on my new teammates, reading their bios and studying pictures. I was terrified of turning up and calling someone by the wrong name.

At the same time, I didn’t expect anyone to know who I was. Why would these top internationals in Everton’s dressing room have the first idea about me?

I certainly didn’t anticipate the fans having a clue about this recruit from Major League Soccer. But when Everton sign a player, the Google searches go off the charts.

When I stepped in the stadium for the first time, I felt so loved and accepted. The welcome from absolutely everybody was wonderful.

You can imagine what a beautiful surprise it was to walk into that environment.

When I receive that respect, I give it back in spades.

I knew straightaway that in those three months, I would run through a wall for any of those people.

I felt as good as I ever had, emotionally and as a player, heading into 2010.

The previous year, I’d gone through a divorce, which was a challenging time mentally, and I came out of it humble and self-aware.

I put every ounce of my being into the 2009 season with Galaxy. We reached the MLS Cup play-offs and I scored in both legs of the quarter-final and in the semi-final.

I set up our goal in the final but the game went to penalties. I missed my kick and we lost.

I was sitting at the back of the bus crying afterwards. Then I came to myself and thought, ‘I am totally at peace with this, I put everything I had into it. I missed a penalty, we all miss penalties’.

Barely seven weeks later, I was making my Everton debut. It was crazy. I couldn’t comprehend what I was hearing when David Moyes told me he was considering starting me at Arsenal.

It was early in my pre-season and I’d had three sessions, tops, with Everton.

I thought I had zero chance of playing – but David let me know at breakfast I was definitely in from the beginning.

I had no time to worry and just went out there and ran my legs off.

Alan Stubbs had been one of the first players to talk to me and it was music to my ears when he said, ‘If you do only one thing, here, just run, you don’t have to play well and score – just run’.

You’ll probably remember the game against Arsenal. When I watch the video, it looks so dramatic, the snow swirling and this furious contest unfolding under the floodlights.

Steven Pienaar scored a gorgeous goal, running through and deceiving Manuel Almunia with an outrageous chip.

I appreciate these things in hindsight but my biggest lived memory of the match is so innocuous.

I chased a player – I can’t remember who – about 60 yards back down the touchline. I finally made the tackle and the ball went off my opponent for a throw-in. There was this ginormous roar from our fans and I got up and thought, ‘This is awesome’.

I didn’t stop until my body essentially started screaming, ‘No more’. I cramped up and went off after about 70 minutes.

I was so fortunate with how the fixtures fell. The next week it was Manchester City at home on a Saturday evening.

I could sense our supporters ready to explode under the lights at Goodison. I’d played in front of some pretty partisan crowds – but never experienced that sensation of being swept along by your fans.

The energy on and off the pitch combined to create an irresistible force. City couldn’t live with us, couldn’t catch their breath. David took me off in the 90^th-minute with the game won and the ovation will stay with me forever.

I had a lot to weigh up when I was asked to come back for a second loan two years later.

Dragging myself away the first time was so hard. I had fallen in love with Everton.

The 90 minutes every week were incredibly special and I didn’t want to give that up.

But Galaxy didn’t have to let me go to Everton in the first place. They gave me the go ahead on condition I returned in time for the new MLS season and when I feel that loyalty, I reciprocate.

Still, when I had the chance for a second spell, part of me was concerned about the consequences if it didn’t go so well. I didn’t want to ruin my relationship with Everton.

We’ve all seen the terrible sequel after a great movie.

For all those fears, though, I was never going to turn down an opportunity to play for this Club.

And, without question, the second time was just as good as the first.

I settled straight back in and had great fun. Goodison was on fire again when we beat Manchester City and Chelsea, providing the most amazing memories.

I can say with absolute certainty my spells with Everton were the most enjoyable of my career.

Sure, I take some credit for making them work. I’d previously been in Germany but never really got going.

By the time I came to Everton, I had matured mentally and was a better player. I understood the game and wasn’t going to be overwhelmed by everything again.

But there is no way it would have gone like such a dream without the Club treating me so fabulously.

When you are received so warmly by the players and staff and supporters, you want nothing more than to make them happy.

I am planning to visit Goodison as soon as time and travel circumstances allow.

I want to go back and thank people for some of the most special times of my life.

By Landon Donovan, 22 appearances + 2 goals for Everton (2009/10 and 2011/12)