August 1, 2007
Adu Bound For Benfica
Former D.C. United prodigy and lightning rod Freddy Adu is off to Benfica of the Portuguese League, reports Steven Goff at the Soccer Insider. When Adu came to United at the tender age 14, his arrival inspired fanfare within Major League Soccer that has only since been surpassed by some British geezer.
After three up-and-down seasons with United, Adu was sent to Real Salt Lake for a major allocation (a powerful tool in MLS used in player acquisition -- yeah, you try and understand) and future considerations. His transfer to Benfica signifies the arrival of said future, and the considerations are bearing fruit in the form of $100,000 to $150,000 worth of allocations and a third-round draft pick.
It's unclear how much of Adu's $2 million transfer fee RSL will see (likely in the form of tasty allocationberries), but the deal should benefit Adu as a player, the MLS, and the U.S. soccer program in general. Though in a second-tier European league, Benfica is still one of Europe's traditional powerhouses, and Freddy will get a chance to prove himself in front of some of the world's best. The MLS and gains publicity and respect around the world for developing Adu. And U.S. soccer should improve its performance as more of its younger prospects play in more competitive leagues.
Good luck, Freddy. Though your petulance annoyed us at times, we still consider you one of ours, and wish you nothing but the best.
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Petulant? I'm glad I wasn't on public display when I was 15, 16 and 17, getting played largely out of my natural position and competing against some of the grittiest and most talented veterans that MLS has to offer -- and a ocach who favored those qualities. I got petulant over far far less at that age -- though I was paid much less.
After watching the U-20, I have a feeling Benfica will play Adu in a central position where his skills on the ball will shine more than they did in MLS.
And after losing Simao Sabrosa, Benfica's former center mid, to Atletico Madrid recently, Freddie should get some time more central.
If he can show the type of form that he did at U-20s recently, he'll do quite well. Couple years in Portugal, maybe then over to one of the bigger leagues, who knows - all the best Freddie.
DCist, love the DC United coverage - keep it up!
Don't know if I'd call portugal's first division "second tier". Mourinho lead Porto to back-to-back Champion League wins plus Benfica and Sporting Lisboa are perennial qualifiers. "Feeder league" maybe. but then, every league in the world is feeder league to EPL and La Liga.
He and other Americans need to do Europe more. And he'll actually get a shot at starting which wouldn't have been likely at Man U had he made it there.
Benfica is a great club, one of the world's largest and the portuguese league is still pretty up there as far as quality. In addition, Benfica usually gets a spot in champions league or UEFA cup
I'm glad I wasn't on public display when I was 15, 16 and 17
Agreed and I'll add to that if was 22 and you gave me a few million dollars (like many NFL rookies) I probably would have gotten myself in a Pacman-esque amount of trouble.
Maureen never led Porto to sucessive CL titles.
They won the UEFA (beating Celtic) and THEN won the Champions League the year after.
Benfica are a great club (they made sure ManUre were eliminated at the group stage two years ago!)
But does anyone remember when they hired Edinburgh's finest - Greame Souness...?
As a Newcastle fan, I'm required to boo everytime Sourmess' name is mentioned. Boooooooooo! - hugo
I stand corrected. back-to-back european silver.
Portugal in general is just cranking out monster players. Except for C. Ronaldo's winking in the last World Cup v. England, they really impressed.
I hope Adu lasts longer away from home than Landon did.
"Whaah! I want my mommy!"
Good luck, Freddy!
Yeah, at first I didn't understand the move to a Portuguese club... after all the noise about his future. But given that he'll probably see a lot more time on the pitch, including European competition (I'm assuming Benfica will be playing in the Champions League but haven't checked my facts) it's probably a very good move for him. Good luck, Freddy!