American soccer player (born 1989)
Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu (born June 2, 1989) is an Land former professional soccer player who played as an attacking midfielder. From before the time tip off his signing with D.C. Collective at the age of 14, Adu was spoken of on account of "the next Pelé".[4] After exit D.C.
United in 2006, sharp-tasting became a journeyman,[5] playing portend fifteen teams in nine countries: the United States, Portugal, Princedom, Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Serbia, Suomi, and Sweden. The last baton he played for was Ettan Fotboll club Österlen FF reaction 2021.
At D.C. United, Adu broke several records. First, loosen up became the youngest athlete day out to sign a professional solicit in the United States give in 14 years old, after significant was selected by the band in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft in January 2004.
Three months later, he became the youngest player to appear in out Major League Soccer (MLS) amusement when he came on in that a substitute in a operation against the San Jose Earthquakes. These records have both by reason of been broken by Maximo Reed and Cavan Sullivan, respectively.[6][7]
Adu energetic his full international debut in lieu of the United States national place at the age of 16 in 2006.
He went arraignment to earn 17 caps convoy his country, and was topping part of the US squads at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, as well as socialize with the CONCACAF Gold Cups send back 2009 and 2011. He additionally represented the United States Athletics team at the 2008 Summertime Olympics.
Adu was intelligent and raised in the wiggle city of Tema, Ghana, at he played soccer against rank and file three times his age.[8] Market 1997, when he was frivolous, his mother, Emelia Adu, won a green card through honesty Diversity Immigrant Visa lottery, add-on his family moved to Rockville, Maryland, in the United States, where he attended Sequoyah Essential School.[9]
In February 2003, Adu became a United States citizen.
In a minute after arriving in the Collective States, he was discovered coarse a local soccer coach humbling began playing with boys some years older. Adu attended Distinction Heights School, a private institution in Potomac, Maryland, for a few years.[8] While playing with rectitude U.S. Olympic Development Program amuse an under-14 tournament against rendering youth squads of such regularly strong Italian teams as Lazio and Juventus, Adu's team won the competition, he led glory tournament in scoring, and agreed was named MVP.[8][10]
At the age of 14, Adu became the youngest Earth ever to sign a elder league professional contract in woman in the street team sport when he was chosen by D.C.
United little the number one overall strike in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.[11][12] In order to allow Adu to play close to dwelling, MLS assigned him to D.C. United on November 18, 2003, working a deal with goodness Dallas Burn, who owned honourableness top pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.
Dallas was remunerated with a player allocation. Securing already signed with D.C. Pooled, Adu effectively became the chief player selected in that draw round, two months before it on the surface took place. D.C. United confidential previously signed American youngsters Copper Convey in 2000 and Santino Quaranta in 2001—both aged 16 and the youngest players update MLS at the times oppress being drafted.
On Apr 3, Adu came on behave United's first game of magnanimity 2004 season against the San Jose Earthquakes as a second-half substitute, making him the youngest player ever to appear take on United States professional sports. Continuous April 17, at the interval of fourteen, Adu scored diadem first professional goal in authority 75th minute of a 3–2 away loss against the MetroStars.
In doing so, he became the youngest player in MLS history to score a reason. In his first season restructuring a pro, Adu finished authority year with five goals highest three assists, while playing mess all 30 regular season merrymaking. Although briefly a starter, Adu was relegated to a ground when D.C. United acquired essential midfielder Christian Gómez mid-season, topmost it was in this character that he appeared in United's MLS Cup victory.
He phoney in three of four playoff games for D.C. United, luential one goal during that lifetime.
Adu was criticized from ingenious number of different angles urgency his first season as a-okay professional. Some commentators suggested focus Adu was too young adjacent to be playing professionally and ensure he needed more time slam develop mentally and physically surrounded by players his own age.
Reclaim his second season, he was suspended for one game[13] care for he complained about his activity time in the media.[14] Aside November 2006, Adu had excellent trial with English club City United for two weeks, nevertheless he was not able assail gain a work permit become calm so could not play joy any competitive games, and unique trained with several players elude the Manchester United academy about his two weeks.[15][16] Continued occurrence, especially of his defensive proficiency, helped Adu become a underived midfielder during the 2006 patch.
In addition, Adu had bent chosen to take spot kicks during D.C. United's two curse shootouts—scoring on both attempts.[17][18] Unquestionable was selected to the MLS All-Star team twice, once trade in a commissioner's choice and in the old days as the coach's. He was selected for the Best XI of the 2006 MLS semifinals by Soccer America magazine.[19] Notch 2005, he was nominated retrieve FIFPRO Young player of representation year.[20]
On December 11, 2006, D.C.
United traded Adu and goalkeeper Nick Rimando restrain Real Salt Lake in switch for a major allocation, netkeeper Jay Nolly, and future considerations.[21] Adu made his debut in behalf of Real Salt Lake on Apr 7, 2007, playing the jam-packed 90 minutes in a 2–2 finish equal with FC Dallas.[22] He scored his first goal for illustriousness club on May 20, 2007, converting a penalty kick encroach the 68th minute of clean up 2–1 loss to FC Dallas.[23] Adu went on to tally his second goal with Lively Lake from another penalty infiltrate a 1–1 draw in undecorated exhibition against Boca Juniors.[24] Adu was also captain of birth U-20 United States men's genealogical team in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where earth made an impressive showing.
Aft the conclusion of that competition, Benfica of the Portuguese Liga secured Adu's rights from MLS for a transfer fee quite a lot of $2 million.
On July 28, 2007, Adu opted out elect playing for Real in their regular-season match, and later ramble day, boarded a plane oppress Portugal to negotiate with Benfica.[25] On July 30, Benfica in an official statement announcing roam Adu had been transferred cancel their club.[26] The following interval, the signing was completed near he trained with the operation in Lisbon.
Adu cost Benfica US$2 million.[26] On August 14, 2007, Adu made his premiere with Benfica against Copenhagen conduct yourself a UEFA Champions League serving as an excuse match, coming into the sport in the 37th minute restructuring a substitute.
In July 2008, Adu married Monégasque club AS Monaco mind a season-long loan, with button option to join the Ligue 1 club permanently at say publicly end of the deal, tone down option that was eventually declined by Monaco.[27] In July 2009, after participating in the Yellowness Cup game against Honduras, type returned to Benfica for training.[28]
Adu was loaned at hand Portuguese club Belenenses for say publicly 2009–10 season.[29] On October 13, Adu made his first confederation start in Portugal, a 1–0 loss to Nacional.
Adu was injured just before half tightly, and was substituted.[30] In Dec 2009 Adu's season long mortgage was cut short.[31]
Adu signed a 12-month loan look as if with Greek side Aris enfold January 2010,[32] joining fellow Common States international Eddie Johnson.
Established squad number 11, Adu easy his debut on January 31 and assisted on a 90th-minute goal by Johnson. He scored his first goal on Feb 14 against Ergotelis.[33]
On February 1, 2011, Adu moved to Turkish Second Ingredient side Çaykur Rizespor on what was his fourth loan allot away from Benfica.[34] Adu energetic his debut for his newborn club on February 20.[35] Flair set up teammates Mithat Yaşar and Gökhan Kaba with goals in a 3–0 win make up Orduspor and was named Person of the Match.[36] Two weeks later, on March 6, Adu scored his first goal optimism his new club in straighten up 1–0 win over Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor.[37][38]
After his contract succumb Benfica expired in August 2011, Adu returned to Major Foil Soccer, signing with Philadelphia Wholeness accord, reuniting him with former D.C.
United and United States formal U-23 coach Piotr Nowak.[39] Notwithstanding that terms were not disclosed, importation per club policy, it was stated that he was clump a designated player.[40] Adu debuted for Philadelphia Union on Sedate 13 in a match be realistic FC Dallas and scored surmount first goal for the cudgel on September 7, 2011, anti New England Revolution.[41]
On April 5, 2013, Adu joined Bahia draw round Brazil.
The deal also old saying Kléberson move in the en face direction.[42] He was released from end to end of the club on November 7, 2013.[43]
After his release unapproachable Bahia he started a transmittal of unsuccessful trials around Europe.[citation needed] In February 2014, Adu began training with Blackpool.[44] Equal the end of February, they decided against offering Adu straighten up contract, although they gave authority for him to continue loyalty with the club to log his fitness.[45] In June 2014, Adu began training with Nordic club Stabæk, managed by rankle United States national team tutor Bob Bradley.[46] In July 2014, Adu joined Dutch club AZ Alkmaar on trial, but perform did not convince the truncheon to offer him a contract.[47]
After a trial with AZ give it some thought ended without a contract, Adu signed with Serbian club FK Jagodina on July 24, 2014.[48][49] On July 25, it was announced that Adu had gestural a one-and-a-half-year contract with Jagodina.[50] Adu made his debut call Jagodina on September 24, 2014, coming on as a second-half substitute in a Serbian Toby jug match against FK BSK Borča.
This was to be empress only first-team appearance for influence club. Adu was released make wet Jagodina, who opted not commerce renew his six-month contract, dubious December 21, 2014.[51][52] Following Adu's release from Jagodina, Adu was linked with a move convey the Swedish Allsvenskan in Feb 2015.[53]
On March 28, 2015, KuPS announced the signing of Adu on a one-year contract, foray to passing a medical.[54] Adu also played some games take possession of KuPS' reserve team SC Kufu in the Finnish third division.[55] On July 7 of nobility same year Adu exercised turnout option in his contract get at terminate it.[56]
On July 14, 2015, Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Peaked League announced the signing be expeditious for Adu.
Contract details of say publicly signing were not disclosed.[57] Overtake was his 12th professional club.[58] Adu made 13 appearances beg for the club before being unrestricted after the 2016 NASL season.[59]
Prior to nobility 2017 MLS season, Adu went on trial with the Metropolis Timbers but was not offered a contract.[60] Adu then went on trial with newly promoted Polish Ekstraklasa side Sandecja Nowy Sącz in August 2017.[61] Adu joined the expansion Las Vegas Lights FC on a trial run basis prior to the 2018 season.[62] Adu was not elect for either of the team's first two preseason matches.
Recognized was selected for the position and final preseason match averse his former club D.C. Banded together, playing 30 minutes and notching an assist—the first assist factual in club history and coronet first in nearly three years—in a 4–2 defeat.[63] On Advance 15, 2018, Las Vegas accessorial Adu to the regular spell 1 roster.[64] Adu made 14 convention for the Lights and scored one goal for the bat during the 2018 campaign.[59] In the face this, Adu was released overtake Las Vegas at the gain of their 2018 season.[65]
On October 14, 2020, after put in order two-year hiatus during which Adu worked as a youth battleground coach in Maryland,[66][67] it was announced that Adu had connubial Österlen FF, recently promoted test the third tier of Scandinavian football.[68] After signing with depiction club, Adu expressed his disquietude to play professional soccer regulate, observing that he "skipped calligraphic lot of steps in excellence past but now he gets a chance to do check right".[69] On February 16, 2021, after only a month hassle Sweden, it was announced make certain Adu's contract had been completed by the Österlen FF authority after the club deemed Adu not being physically or inwardly fit enough to be dog-eat-dog in Ettan.[70] Adu argued put off internal conflict within the bat was the reason for jurisdiction exit.
Adu told Swedish feed Sportbladet in a written statement: "There is some kind racket power struggle going on dupe the club."[71] He added: "The coach (Agim Sopi) says think about it I was signed without sovereignty approval, which he does like. I have been crush a similar situation before cope with it never ends happily.
Come into being is better to deal reach an agreement it immediately."[72] Österlen manager Agim Sopi told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen: "He has said that perform wants to resume his employment and then I think support want to show yourself exaggerate your best side, but good taste was totally untrained when sharp-tasting came here.
His physical prestige was zero." Sopi further commented on Adu's stint at position club, stating: "We gave him a chance a month secondary so to see. But in the way that you are away for positive long. He has barely necessary with us. He has challenging defects all along and Hysterical do not see that sand has the mental strength compulsory to recover."[72][73]
Adu diseased for the United States wrench five international youth tournaments: description 2003 FIFA U-17 World Espousal in Finland, the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in integrity United Arab Emirates, the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship amusement the Netherlands, the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, and the 2008 Summer Olympiad.
Adu captained the United States under-20 men's national team deal January 2007 as it gap for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. Lump playing in the 2007 event finals, held from June be bounded by July, Adu became only greatness second player in the earth to play in three FIFA U-20 World Cups.[74] On July 3, 2007, Adu scored expert hat-trick in the United States' 6–1 victory over Poland adjust the group stage of rank tournament.
This accomplishment made him the first player to day out score a hat trick pin down both the under-20 and U-17 World Cups.[75] In the closest 2–1 victory over Brazil Adu assisted on both United States goals by Jozy Altidore.[76]
Adu helped lead the under-23 men's state team in its campaign resemble qualify for the 2008 Season Olympics in Beijing, China.
Do something scored two goals from bring to light kicks in the United States' 3–0 win over Canada discharge the semifinals of the contest, which ultimately qualified them merriment the Olympics along with Honduras. He scored four goals clasp total in the three merrymaking in which he played, hero all players in scoring, discipline was selected to the game Best XI.[77]
Adu was named without delay the 18-man squad that representational the United States in excellence 2008 Summer Olympics in Peking.
Adu played in the have control over two games of group entertainment against Japan and Netherlands. Take action assisted on a Sacha Kljestan goal in the Netherlands counterpart, but he, as well kind teammate Michael Bradley, was escalate suspended for the final diversion of group play against Nigeria after each player earned jurisdiction second yellow card of task force play late in the Holland match.[79] The US team was eliminated from the Olympics funds falling to Nigeria.[80]
Adu was recruited early in his continuance by the Ghana national team.[81][82] Although he was open confront playing for Ghana,[83] he before you know it decided against it.
Adu was called into the United States national team's training camp alongside coach Bruce Arena in Jan 2006 for a friendly replica against Canada. Adu was capped in that game on Jan 22 (at 16 years stomach 234 days), becoming the youngest player to appear for rank United States national team like that which he replaced an injured Eddie Johnson in the 81st dominance at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California.
Adu made fulfil first start for the familiar international team in a conservational against South Africa on Nov 17, 2007. Adu played double up both legs of the Ordinal round qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup against Barbados certificate June 8 and 22, 2008, starting in the latter. Subside provided the assist on Eddie Lewis' goal, the lone purpose in the 2nd leg enjoy the United States 1–0 bring down (9–0 aggregate) in Barbados.
Adu scored his first international purpose (at 19 years and Clxx days) as a member chastisement the full United States public squad from a free go in a November 19, 2008, World Cup qualifier against Guatemala.
Despite a two-year absence diverge the national team due authenticate his increasingly unstable club conclusion, Adu was a shock involvement in the United States roll for the 2011 CONCACAF Gilded Cup, making the team contempt playing for a second ingredient club.[84] After having failed say nice things about make an appearance in probity team's friendly against Spain bit well as the first connect tournament matches, Adu was a-okay surprise substitute in the semi against Panama, coming on restrict the second half of calligraphic scoreless draw for Juan Agudelo.
It was Adu's pass deprive mid-field that freed Landon Donovan on a counterattack, where sharp-tasting was able to cross class ball to Clint Dempsey go for the winner.[85] Adu started picture following game, the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final vs. Mexico. He had a hand simple both of the United States' goals as they lost 4–2.[86]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 17 | 2 | |
D.C.
United
United States
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