What is RSS?

Players: Abel Freddy Adu H. Almeida Bruno Alves Anderson J. Andrade N. Assis Vitor Baia Boa Morte Bosingwa M. Caneira Cardozo R. Carvalho Ze Castro Jorge Costa Rui Costa Conceicao Costinha F. Couto M. da Costa Dady Deco Di Maria Y. Djalo Duda M. Fernandes P. Ferreira Luis Figo Luis Filipe Nuno Gomes L. Gonzalez Helton Izmailov Karagounis Katsouranis Liedson L. Lopez Luisao David Luiz Makukula Maniche Mantorras F. Meira R. Meireles P. Mendes Miguel Miguelito Moreira J. Moutinho Nani Nelson Pauleta C. Peixoto Pepe Petit Pereirinha Joao Pinto H. Postiga Polga Quaresma Quim Ricardo R. Rocha C. Rodriguez Ronaldo Romagnoli P. Sousa Simao Tarik Tiago J. Tomas Tonel Miguel Veloso Hugo Viana Vukcevic Abel Xavier Select player

Player profile: Freddy Adu

Full name: Fredua Koranteng Adu

Position: Midfielder

Date of Birth: 2 June 1989

Birthplace: Tema, Ghana

Fredua Koranteng Adu, better known as Freddy Adu, has been the face of American soccer for the last four years, since he was 14 years old. Not an easy task, but one he has handled with grace and astonishing maturity. Blessed with bewitching footwork and excellent dribbling skills, Adu plays as an attacking midfielder or winger.

Born in Tema, Ghana, football quickly became Adu’s overriding passion. At eight years of age Adu’s amazing journey that would see him take in three continents in a decade began as he and his mother moved to Washington DC after the family won the Green Card Lottery.

Sensational youth display

Adu attended a private school where his skills were groomed in the US Olympic Development Program. He competed in an U14 tournament which included the youth squads from Juventus and Lazio. Adu’s display was nothing short of sensational as his team won the tournament and the player took home the MVP honours.

Adu’s talent did not go unnoticed. Inter Milan were prepared to offer the Ghanaian-born American a six figure salary to move to Italy, but the offer was declined. When the 15-year-old turned professional in 2004 it was a huge event for the sport in the US, bringing mass media coverage and publicity. Adu was seen as the player to take the sport to new heights in his adopted home.

Youngest ever professional

The forward made his professional debut on 3 April 2004 for DC United, in so doing becoming the youngest player ever to make a debut in American professional sport. Adu had a fine rookie season as he was an ever-present in the team’s 30 matches, notching 5 goals along the way as DC United lifted the MLS Cup and the league championship.

During two years the player received numerous “Player of the Week” and “Goal of the Week” accolades. He was also nominated for the FIFPRO Young Player of the Year Award in 2005, and was selected to the MLS All-Star team on two occasions (2004 & 2006).

Benfica come calling

He was transferred to Real Salt Lake in December 2006, but did not stay long in his new surroundings. Shortly after the player had re-joined the team from participating in the World Youth Cup with the American team, Freddy Adu signed for Benfica in July in a 1.75m euro deal.

Benfica are hoping for big things from the player having followed his career ever since he turned professional four years ago. The Portuguese club were definitively convinced after watching his performances at the U20 World Cup where he scored three goals and set up two others. Although it seems he has been involved in the game forever, Adu moves to Europe still only 18 years old.

by Marco Pereira (10/08/2007)

CLUB APPEARANCES GOALS DC United 94 11 Real Salt Lake 11 1       USA 1 0