Freddy Adu

Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu ( born June 2, 1989 in Tema, Ghana) is an American football player. He is a player of Philadelphia Union and is currently awarded to the Brazilian club EC Bahia.

He is one of the youngest athlete ever to have signed a professional contract in the United States. On April 3, 2004, he made ​​his first game for DC United and two weeks later his first goal as a professional. He is the youngest player and goalscorer used in Major League Soccer.

Club career

Youth

Adu is from Ghana. He grew up in the port city of Tema and played already against players who were three times as old as he is. When he was eight years old, his mother won the Green Card Lottery. The family moved to Rockville, Maryland, where Adu initially the Sequoyah Elementary School visited. In 2003 he received the U.S. citizenship. After arriving in the U.S., he was discovered by a coach and played football with older players together. Adu attended the Heights School, a private school in Potomac, Maryland. When he was twelve years old, he won with the school team, the Maryland State Championship.

During an international U-14 youth tournament in which he part of the " U.S. Olympic Development Programs " was, he was voted best player. This was Inter Milan took part in the youth team also in the tournament, pay attention to him. He was presented an offer, but this was rejected by his mother.

From January 2002, Adu went to the IMG Soccer Academy, a pure football school, which is managed by the United States Soccer Federation. During this time he was a very much sought-after players, as he, despite his young age, had a well-developed body. In addition to that, he was already arrived technically and playful at a very high level.

When he was 14, he received offers from many well-known clubs in Europe, among others, Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven.

Major League Soccer

On 11 December 2006 Adu was sold along with goalkeeper Nick Rimando in a sensational deal at Real Salt Lake. On April 7, he made his debut for Salt Lake in the game against FC Dallas. His first goal he scored on 20 May 2007. According to his participation in the U-20 World Cup 2007, Benfica secured the transfer of rights from the MLS for two million dollars.

Benfica Lisbon

In July 2007, Adu joined to Europe on the Portuguese first division club Benfica, in which he signed a contract until 2012. His first game for Benfica, Adu made ​​14 August 2007 against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League.

In 2008, Adu was loaned to the French first division club AS Monaco. AS Monaco secured beyond a purchase option. This option was not used and Adu returned in the summer of 2009 returned to Benfica.

On 31 August 2008 he was loaned for the 2009/10 season to the in preseason almost relegated club Belenenses Lisbon. On 13 October 2008 he made his Erstligadebüt for Belenenses, but was replaced due to injury. On December 29, ended the lending transaction.

Adu signed in January 2010, a contract for a loan of 18 months at the Greek club Aris Thessaloniki. Making its debut on 31 January 2010, he gave an assist and scored his first goal on 14 February in the Super League Ellada.

After he had been away at Aris from the squad, he completed tryouts and Others at FC Sion and FC Ingolstadt 04

Philadelphia Union

In August 2011, Adu Philadelphia Union undertook. On August 13, he made his debut for Union and still came up with eleven season bets. In his second year Adu made ​​24 games and scored five goals.

In March 2013 he was loaned to Brazilian club EC Bahia.

National

Adu took with the U.S. at the U -17 World Cup in August 2003, the U -20 World Cup in November / December 2003, the U -20 World Cup in June 2005 and the U-20 FIFA World Cup 2007 part. While the U20 World Cup 2003, he formed a duo with Eddie Gale Johnson, the scorer of the tournament was. During the U- 20 World Cup in Canada ( 2007), he scored three goals and was able to prepare two goals.

Adu was a 16- year-old national player for the U.S. national team when he played for a few minutes on January 22, 2006, compared Canada. Adu was becoming the youngest American national player of all time. Previously, he had already given 12 years, his U-20 debut. It has been speculated that U.S. trainers have Adu only used to prevent Adu before the 2006 World Cup is still national team of Ghana. Ghana had offered Adu, playing as a regular player at the 2006 World Cup.

His first goal for the national team, he scored on 19 November 2008 against Guatemala.

After he was not two years on the national team, was nominated for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011. There he was employed in the semi-finals and finals.

Trivia

Adu mother with former Bundesliga striker Anthony Yeboah grew up (Eintracht Frankfurt, Hamburger SV).

From May 2005 to September 2006 he was associated with the American singer JoJo. The relationship was terminated in the fall of 2006.

Adu 's younger brother, Fro Adu, played include soccer for George Mason University.