Soccer:Everton have confirmed the signing of United States striker Landon Donovan on a short-term loan deal.

Donovan will join the Merseyside club in the January transfer window having been granted permission by Los Angeles Galaxy.

The 27-year-old will increase manager David Moyes' selection options during a season which has seen the Merseysiders hampered by injuries throughout the season.

He may be at Goodison Park for as little as 10 weeks before returning to the States but Moyes feels that could be enough to give his side a lift.

Moyes said: "He will bring me some experience, some pace and he is a good finisher.

"He gives me another body, which we needed, and I think we need to add another two or three in January.

"American boys in the main tend to come over here and do well. He was voted the best player in MLS, so I think he can bring some qualities we can use.

"He is relatively experienced and I need these players to come in and hit the ground running, not need a month or two to get ready."

Donovan failed to make an impact in previous spells with German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich but Moyes expects him to respond well to the challenge of playing in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: "This is a test to see if he can maybe jump up to the level. I think he can.

"I see the American team regularly and know what is there. He is thought of highly in America and is a really talented player."

Donovan is also using the move to retain his match-sharpness in a World Cup year.

Moyes added: "I think he has signed a new contract with LA Galaxy.

"If the boy came and said he really wants a bit of that, we might have to see what we can do, but that certainly isn't the goal at the moment."

Moyes is hoping the player can make an impression similar to that of fellow American Brian McBride, who enjoyed a successful career in England with Fulham after twice working under the Scot.

Moyes said: "He is only going to be with us two and a half, maybe three months, so it is a short time to make an impact, but I brought Brian McBride to Preston in a similar situation and he made an impact.

"I then brought him to Everton and he made an impact here.

"We couldn't sign him because we had Kevin Campbell and Duncan Ferguson here at the time but he went on to sign for Fulham and was a really good servant for them."