Freddy Adu’s expected move to Benfica is complete after passing a physical yesterday.
Adu signed a five-year deal and is expected to take part in the Champions League with his new team.
After a sparkling performance in the u-20 World Cup Adu’s time to move on became apparent and needed.
Adu will now move on to Portugal not as a novelty because of his age but as another player hoping to make a difference for Benfica. The move to Benfica seems to be a good fit based on the Portugues league and seems this best opportunity for Adu to get playing time as opposed to being on the bench of a Super Club.
At this moment of his career it is time for Adu to get a fresh start in Europe.
July 31, 2007
Official-Adu to Benfica
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This is a great fit for Adu.
It’s a storied club with the potential to play in the Champions League year-in and year-out.
The play will be less physical than that of the MLS and this should suit Adu’s game well.
Portugal has been a good spot in recent years for developing young players. I think we might see Freddy move to a bigger European club in 2-3 years as he matures.
It’s going to be really interesting to watch what happens.
Comment by Travis — July 31, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Europe is deifinitly the right place for Freddy. I was a little disappointed after hearing quotes from him earlier in the MLS season saying he was just waiting out the season to move to Europe. Of course this was expected but it sounded as if he wasn\’t even trying with Real Salt Lake and given the club\’s record that\’s apparent. Good for Freddy but I don\’t see him staying for five years, he\’ll probably tire of that team and leauge too…
Comment by coop — July 31, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Freddy deserves an opportunity to learn from world players in Europe. We hope that several years from now he will come back to the MLS, helping to raise the US soccer to a higher level.
Also, let\’s hope that he will never be contaminated by dirty acts quite common among such players as the Italian national squad in 2006.
There is a clear demarcation line between \
Comment by Daniel Vu — July 31, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
Great move for Adu. Will he be the first American player to play in a Champions League match? I can’t remember if Beasley did with PSV or if there is another I’m forgetting. I agree that if Adu does well at Benfica he will look to move to a bigger European club in a few years, but that is a big “if.”
Comment by doug — August 1, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Off the top of my head I know that Jovan Kirovski of Dortmund played in the Champions league and scored.
DaMarcus Beasley also has played in the CL with PSV.
There are others.
Comment by glenndavis — August 1, 2007 @ 7:07 am
Beasley was the first American to help his team win the Champion’s League, also being the first American to actually play in a CL semi-final. So yes Doug, the American CL precedent has already been set.
Comment by Simon — August 5, 2007 @ 12:23 am