30 July 2007, by Marco Pereira

Benfica steal a march on Premiership clubs to capture rising American star

Freddy Adu pens five-year deal for Lisbon club

Benfica have pulled off another blockbuster signing over the weekend when they locked American teenager, Freddy Adu, to a five-year contract. The 18-year-old prodigy is due to arrive in Portugal on Monday to finalise the deal.

The Lisbon giants have agreed to dish out 1.75 million euros for the player’s signature. The deal was announced by club spokesperson, Trey Fitzgerald, before the Utah club took on the New England Revolution on Saturday.

“They have reached an agreement by telephone. Nothing has been signed yet, but we think there is a 0.0001% chance that he will be coming back – I do not count on that happening.”

The news was confirmed by Real Salt Lake coach, Jason Kreis. “MLS and Real Salt Lake have authorised Freddy Adu to fly to Portugal in order to begin negotiating with Benfica.”

The signing is another major coup for Benfica as they have beaten the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Everton and Celtic for the player’s signature.

Last week Argentinian starlet Di Maria was purchased for close to 6m euros with Benfica beating off competition from Premiership club Arsenal for the winger.

The Portuguese club’s newfound financial clout derives in part from the sale of club captain Simao Sabrosa to Atletico Madrid for 20m euros last week.


Related: Eagles beat Arsenal to signature of U20 star Angel Di Maria
Related: Simao Sabrosa sold to Atletico Madrid