Landon Donovan arrived in Dubai, where Bayern Munich is holding its midseason training camp, on Sunday to begin his 75-day loan with the German power from the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 26-year-old said he hopes the loan leads to a long-term stay.

In an interview posted by Bayern Munich’s official Web site, Donovan, who had two previous stints in Germany, said, “I’m ready for the Bundesliga now.”

Donovan signed with Bayer Leverkusen at 17 in 1999 and spent two years with the club without breaking into the first team. He returned to Leverkusen for three months in 2005 and played seven Bundesliga games (no goals, one assist) before returning to MLS.

His latest shot at the Bundesliga came thanks to Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann, who told fcbayern.de, “we’re expecting great things of him. … He’s fired up and wants to prove himself with us.”

The loan deal expires on March 15, in time for Donovan to rejoin the Galaxy for the start of the 2009 MLS season. But Donovan said, “I’d definitely like to stay for longer.”

Donovan went on a 10-day trial with Bayern in November.

“It was all wonderful – the coaching staff, the players, the medical unit, the performance center, the training conditions, the whole club, the city,” Donovan said. “I’m delighted to be here.

“I’m pleased and very excited to be here. My goal is to become part of the team as quickly as possible. I’m confident it’ll work out. It was made very easy for me here at Bayern back in November. I was welcomed with open arms.”

Asked to compare MLS with German soccer, Donovan said, “The people in Germany have much greater passion for soccer. Soccer’s in their blood, as soccer has such a long history in Germany, but we’ve only had the MLS for 13 years.

“Bundesliga matches are obviously very high quality, every player at a club like Bayern has class, which is different to America. The playing styles are different too. You get more one-on-one situations in the Bundesliga, the players are technically strong and good on the ball — MLS is faster and more physical.”

Donovan is competing for a spot on the frontline with Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.

“Training with them back in November was a dream come true,” Donovan said. “Training with such classy players makes you a better player yourself. I can learn lots from them. At the same time, I do believe I can bring qualities of my own to the team. I’m a different type of player compared to Luca, Miro and Lukas. I do a lot of work off the ball and at a high pace.”

Donovan has won three MLS titles — two with the San Jose Earthquakes and one with the Galaxy. But he has missed postseason play for three straight seasons with the Galaxy. Despite the Galaxy’s struggles, Donovan is coming off the most productive of his eight MLS seasons. He led the league in scoring with 20 goals and had nine assists.

MLS would likely ask for a transfer fee as high as $10 million were Bayern interested in signing Donovan beyond the loan deal. His performance over the loan period would determine whether Bayern would be willing to meet the price tag. For his part, Donovan believes this latest stint in Germany will go better than his first two tries.

“I’ve grown up, especially mentally,” he said. “I’m more experienced and mentally stronger, and I know what to expect here. Back then in Leverkusen, I wasn’t ready for Germany and the Bundesliga. I thought for many months about the decision to come back, and spoke to lots of people. I know I’m ready for it now.”