Phil Neville hoping for permanent Landon Donovan switch

Everton captain Phil Neville has admitted that he would like the club to complete the signing of Landon Donovan on a permanent transfer.

The American international has spent two successful loan spells at Goodison Park over the past two seasons.

However, despite talks of a transfer, the attacker has returned to LA Galaxy on both occasions.

Discussing the impact that Donovan had during his stints with the Toffees, Neville confessed that he had played alongside few better players.

"If there is a chance, I make sure that I try every time I speak to him," Neville told Sports Illustrated. "That's the first thing I say to him. Toward the end of his spell back in January I even tried to kidnap him for a while and keep him in England.

"I'm telling the truth here when I say the last two times he's been over he's totally transformed our season. He's the ultimate professional, he's got great quality, and the Everton fans love him.

"He's a hero at Goodison Park, and he's probably only played 20 to 25 games for us. I've played with some world-class right sided players in my time, and he's up there with them."

Donovan, 30, joined the Galaxy from Bayer Leverkusen in 2005.