MUNICH, Germany – Landon Donovan may get his wish to play in Europe again, and this time it could be at Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich.

Donovan has been practicing with Bayern since Tuesday, when he was also voted U.S. Player of the Year for a record fifth time. Bayern said he was in Germany to stay in shape, but club bosses have been closely watching the “Hollywood striker,” as Donovan has been described by Bild newspaper.

“He is the exceptional player in North America, including Mexico,” Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann told the club's Web site Thursday.

“Landon knows that Europe is where it's at in football. And he has all the qualities to break through in Europe,” said Klinsmann, who was once a consultant for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Donovan's Major League Soccer team.

Bayern striker Miroslav Klose praised Donovan.

“He is an excellent player with many qualities and he is only 26,” Klose said. “I think that he would find himself in the Bundesliga.”

Bayern's powerful general manager Uli Hoeness, who usually has the biggest say in transfers, was noncommittal.

“He can kick, no doubt. First, let him train for 10 days and then we'll see,” Hoeness said.

Thursday's edition of Kicker magazine said Klinsmann wanted to sign Donovan before the season but that he was overruled by the club bosses.

Donovan, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. national team with 37 goals in 105 international appearances, had two unsuccessful stints with another Bundesliga team, Bayer Leverkusen. Donovan led Major League Soccer this year with 20 league goals for the Galaxy, playing alongside David Beckham.

After signing when he was 16, Donovan never got into a match when he was with Leverkusen from 1999-2001. Following four seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes, he returned to Leverkusen in 2005. He lasted just a few months, failing to score in seven Bundesliga appearances and two more in the Champions League.

“It's a great opportunity for me to see how football is played here,” Donovan was quoted as saying on the club's Web site. “I'd like to play in Europe. In Leverkusen, I was young and I did not have the necessary maturity. I wasn't ready yet. Now, I am different person, a different player.”

Some German newspapers have speculated that Donovan could replace Lukas Podolski, who is unhappy with his limited role and who reportedly wants to leave.

Bayern's Web site described Donovan as a versatile player, who could play either in attack or in the midfield.

Donovan's agent, Richard Motzkin, said this week it was premature to speculate whether Donovan will have a chance to play for a European club.

“It's a situation where Juergen and Landon had known each other for years,” Motzkin said. “It was an opportunity to go over to train and stay fit and it made sense for everybody.”