Michael Essien urges Freddy Adu to join him in playing for both Ghana and Chelsea.

Chelsea Midfielder Michael Essien urged Freddy Adu to come play with Chelsea. Both Essien and Adu were born in Ghana.

Adu has represented USA at various levels but has not made his senior bow and he is now mulling over an offer to represent his native Ghana.

The African's impressive World Cup campaign could convince Adu to make the switch and Essien, the Black Stars' key player, has spoken of his admiration for the hugely promising hit-man and in the process, pleaded with him to join Chelsea.

It has been widely speculated that Manchester United and Chelsea will be at the forefront of the queue if, and when, DC United decide to cash in, with Essien urging a switch to West London.

''Freddy is a really good young player,'' Essien told the Star on Sunday.

''I hope he joins me at Chelsea. It would make me very happy.

''It's now up to him to decide which country he wants to play for - and he would be more than welcome in our team.

''He's a good player, who has more to learn.''

D.C. United dismisses rumors of Adu transfer

Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - D.C. United is responding to rumors that Freddy Adu is leaving Major League Soccer.

Reports have speculated that Adu could be leaving the United States, however, D.C. United President and CEO Kevin Payne said that Adu is expected to stay with the club through the 2007 season.

"Neither we nor the League has had any conversations with any club about a transfer of Freddy," Payne said in a statement.

Adu recently made his first international appearance with the U.S. Men's National Team last month.

"We have great faith in his qualities, and we remain convinced that in time he will realize his potential and become a terrific player by any standard."

D.C. United is currently in preseason training and is scheduled to travel to Florida to train at the IMG Academy on Wednesday.

The original Rumor:

Freddy Adu likely to move to Chelsea, Times Says:

Feb. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Chelsea may beat Manchester United to the signature of 16-year-old U.S. Major League Soccer player Freddy Adu, the Times reported.

The English teams, along with others in Italy and Spain, have been monitoring the Ghana-born Adu for four years, the paper said. He joined D.C. United two years ago.

Chelsea is in advanced talks with Major League Soccer, which owns the player's registration, and will pay an initial 5 million pounds ($8.75 million), the Times said.

Adu may this year become the youngest player to appear at the World Cup after making his debut for the U.S. last month aged 16 years, 234 days.

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See An Amazing Goal by Freddy Adu!

This goal was named Goal of the Week for Week 28 in Major League Soccer! Freddy gets the ball at midfield, beautifully flicks the ball over the defenders head and is off to the races!

Watch the Video of the Goal
(Requires RealPlayer)

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Learn about another child soccer star: Jean Carlos Chera. He's only 9 years old and his amazing skills are evident in a highlight video. To see the video go to: CheraSite.com

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Adu practices with U.S. national team
16-year-old MLS player is considered long shot to make 23-man roster

Freddy Adu is among 28 players who reported this week to the national team’s first training camp of the year. Adu, who had never been invited to practice with the national team before, ran and went through shooting drills Thursday during the first full day of workouts, then played a scrimmage in which his side won.

“I’m actually looking to impress right now,” he said. “I’m going to work my butt off. I’m going to do whatever I have to do to try and make this team because that’s always been my goal. There’s no holding back now.”

At the same time, the D.C. United forward is considered a long shot to make the 23-man roster, and he knows it.

“Half the team is already sorted out with the European guys,” he said. “Realistically, there are maybe two or three spots left on the team.”

Coach Bruce Arena said Thursday that he expects half the roster to be comprised of European-based Americans, with the other half coming from Major League Soccer.

“Our expectations for Freddy are not great,” he said. “It’s just good to get him in here and give him a feel of what this is about with the national team and see where he is and compare him with others.”

But Adu isn’t letting that get him down.

“You never know what might happen,” he said. “They might take you for a different reason, other than being out there and scoring goals. They might even take you for being a good teammate.”

 

Report: Adu looking beyond United
From MLSnet.com

D.C. United midfielder Freddy Adu has intimated that he's looking for a way to leave the club, according to a story published Tuesday on the website of The Washington Post.
Adu, who is reportedly upset with his playing time, told the Post it is "... very, very, very, very tempting" to look at playing elsewhere.

"As a matter of fact, I'm doing that right now," he said to the Post. "I always have to make the best decision for myself first and I'm just looking into things right now. We'll see what happens at the end of the season and see where my family and myself are heading." More- Full Story

Live Streaming Football

Freddy Adu's Strike Voted Goal of the Week

Watch the Video

Washington, D.C. (October 12, 2005) - Major League Soccer announced today D.C. United's Freddy Adu has been named as the Week 28 winner of the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week, determined through fan voting on mlsnet.com. Adu garnered 61% of the vote, while FC Dallas' Bobby Rhine was second with 13% of the vote. Adu's strike came in the second half of United's game versus Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, October 5. This is his second ?Goal of the Week' honor, since joining United last season. He won last year in Week 8 for his strike against the Los Angeles Galaxy. United's Jaime Moreno (Week's 12 & 25) and Josh Gros (Week 6) have also won the award in 2005.

Adu's winning goal came while playing up top for the Black-and-Red last Wednesday. He received a ball near midfield from Jamil Walker and controlled his first touch with his chest. With his second touch he flicked the ball over his head, behind himself and over a Salt Lake defender. He spun around the defender and pushed the ball forward with his head. Carrying the ball towards goal, Adu split two additional defenders, ran into the box and slotted home a left-footed shot into the far right corner of the goal to put D.C. up 2-0.

In 2005, Adu has seen time in 24 games (16 starts), scored four goals and dished out six assists. He has twice been named MLS Player of the Week (Weeks 6 & 28).

***PSV To Sign
Freddy Adu?***
June 1st 2005

PSV Eindhoven, a powerhouse Dutch football team, may be set to sign Freddy Adu, according to reports in both the United States and Holland.

Freddy Adu (DC United) made his debut on the highest level at only 14 and has been tracked by a host of European giants ever since.

Amongst those who tried to lure the youngster to Europe are Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Ajax, Juventus, Chelsea, Internationale and Arsenal.

But now it seems, a bit unlikely side, PSV Eindhoven are in pole position to land the world famous teenager.

PSV offered a youth contract and Phillips offered his dad a job. Adu's girlfriend already lives in Eindhoven.

It could be likely that Chelsea are involved in a deal and that they will have a option to buy him later on.
Chelsea and PSV have a good working coorporation, Chelsea also payed a part of Brazilian defender Alex' transfer fee last summer.
-http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s342/st74241.htm

Freddy Adu Named MLS Player of the Week

NEW YORK (Monday, May 9, 2005) - Freddy Adu was selected as the Honda MLS Player of the Week for the week ending May 8, 2005 (Week 6). In his second start of the season, Adu tallied two assists and his first goal of the year helping United defeat the visiting Columbus Crew 3-1 on Saturday, May 7 at RFK Stadium. At age 15, Adu becomes the youngest player ever to win the award and the first teenager since 2001 when DaMarcus Beasley -19 (Week 21), Landon Donovan -19 (Week 19), and Santino Quaranta -16 (Week 15) each won once.
Full Story

Freddy Says He's Ready To Start Every Game Next Year for DC United.

"I'm not expecting to be coming off the bench at all," the 15-year old Adu said. "I expect to be a starter on this team and play a different role. I have a big role to play on this team. I'm ready for it."

Adu played in all 30 regular season matches for United, but started just 14 in his five goal, three assist rookie season. He played in three of the team's four playoff matches and tallied an assist, but played just 87 minutes.

Adu may be ready for an increased role and certainly, he improved over the course of 2004, but he has not quite convinced team president Kevin Payne or coach Peter Nowak.

"I think that he made great strides last year in understanding his role and what it means to play at this level," Payne said. "He became a more and more effective player as the season wore on. I know he wants to come out and compete for a starting position. I think he understands that it's not a given that he's a starter. In fact, [he] probably starts the season--if you had to draw a chart up today--he's probably not a starter."

Full Story

Freddy Adu Called Into U.S. U-20 National Team Camp


D.C. United midfielder Freddy Adu was named Monday to the initial roster for Sigi Schmid’s first training camp as U.S. U-20 National Team coach. Adu will travel to Sunrise, FL today for the week-long camp, which includes matchups against Honduras and Mexico.
“We are pleased that Freddy has been called into this camp with the U-20’s,” said Dave Kasper, United Technical Director. “Freddy had a terrific first season as a professional and these matches will be beneficial to his continued development.”

Adu will join eight other professional players, a host of college players and several members of the U.S. Soccer residency program as Schmid sorts through his player pool in advance of the upcoming CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships. Adu has five appearances for the U-20’s in 2004, including a goal against the Region II ODP Select squad.

In 2004, Adu was one of only two members of the Black-and-Red to see time in every match during the regular season. He was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a Commissioner’s Pick and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year. The youngest player ever to appear in a MLS match, Adu earned 13 points (5 g, 3a) on the campaign, adding an assist in the playoffs.

Freddy and D.C. United Win MLS CUP

DC United won an unprecedented fourth MLS Cup on Sunday, beating Kansas City 3-2.

Although United conceded an early goal to allow the Wizards to go in front, it then scored three times in seven first-half minutes to take a firm grip on the game.

Freddy Adu, United's 15-year-old star, came on as a substitute in the 65th minute to a roar from the crowd of 25,797. He made a run down the side late in the game, but goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi was able to pick up the ball before Adu could get off a shot.

 

ADU FINISHES SEASON STRONG WITH 5 GOALS, 3 ASSISTS FOR 13 POINTS

Click here for full information and Adu's performance in comparison to other DC United Players.

Adu Has Two Assists As United Win 3-2

Mike Petke headed in Freddy Adu's corner kick in the 64th minute, and D.C. United beat the MetroStars 3-2 Sunday in a tuneup for their Major League Soccer playoff series.

Adu had two assists, and Christian Gomez scored twice to help United finish the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the MetroStars. The teams will start a two-leg series Saturday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
D.C. United extended its home unbeaten streak to 10 games.

Adu finished the regular season with 13 points. United had a scare, however, when he went up for a header in the second half and was undercut by Craig Ziadie. Adu came down on his neck and was down for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power.

Ziadie received his second yellow card of the game and was ejected and will be suspended for the first game of the playoffs.

Adu Goal Leads United Over MetroStars

Freddy Adu scored on a deflected shot early in the first half, leading DC United to a 1-0 victory over the MetroStars on Saturday night.

The 15-year-old Adu stole the ball from defender Jeff Parke, then fired a shot off Parke into the goal in the 16th minute. It was the fifth goal of the year for the 15-year-old sensation and his second against the MetroStars.
The win helped DC United's playoff chances, placing them firmly in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 9-10-9 record and 36 points. The MetroStars, who clinched a playoff berth last week with a win over Dallas, fell to 11-11-6 overall and 39 points.

After Adu's goal, the game became very physical. Several altercations broke out, leading to pushing and shoving between the players, one of which involved Adu and MetroStars forward Mike Magee.
Soon after the Adu-Magee altercation, several other pushing matches broke out. Magee was fouled hard in the 23rd minute, suffering a mild concussion. The MetroStars had to play a man down for four minutes after Magee left the field. All totaled, 22 fouls were called in the first half, 13 against DC United.

-AP

Freddy moves to Midfield and Scores As DC United Beat Rapids

Freddy Adu and Earnie Stewart scored first-half goals to help D.C. United snap a four-game winless streak with a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night.Adu put on a show to help D.C. United (6-8-6) earn its first win since beating the MetroStars on July 3. The 15-year old midfielder scored in the 35th minute on an assist from Joshua Gros. Adu beat Colorado goalie Joe Cannon with a 12-yard shot just inside the left post for his third goal this season and first since May 19. "It's been a while, it felt so great," Adu said. "It's great to have that comfort level. I knew where to be, and everything was just there today."

D.C. United coach Peter Nowak moved Adu to midfield, playing behind the strikers, to give him more room to create. The team had a season-high 23 shots."I'm very happy for him," Nowak said. "He's starting to realize he's a part of the team...and a part of the winning. I don't see anyone in the world who's 15 and can do the things like that."

 

Freddy Makes MLS All-Star Team!

Teenage star Freddy Adu of D.C. United was one of 15 reserves picked Monday for the MLS all-star team.

MLS commissioner Don Garber added him to the team, along with the league's career goals leader, Jason Kreis of the Dallas Burn. The other 13 reserves were picked by the coaches. Adu, a 15-year-old forward, has started just six of the team's 16 games this season and has scored two goals. Still, Adu has sparked interest in MLS unlike any player in its nine-year history.

He is the highest paid player in the league, making $500,000 per year in salary and bonuses, and D.C. United easily leads the league in road attendance.

The 22 all-star starters were announced Friday.

Freddy Scores Incredible Goal; 2nd in MLS

Freddy's Goal named GOAL OF THE WEEK!

 

Adu capped a 30-yard run with a 16-yard shot into the upper right corner of the net Wednesday night in D.C. United's 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy. "It boosts my confidence a lot," Adu said. "Now I'm having a lot of fun. It wasn't fun at first. Guys got to watch out now because I'm back to the old me."

It was Adu's second goal this season, but the first one to display the full nature of his talent. Taking a pass from Earnie Stewart on the right flank, Adu curled wide and crossed left into the penalty area, using his speed to create space from defenders and set up his left-footed drive past Kevin Hartman in the 67th minute.

"I just got the ball in the right position," Adu said. "That's my strength, just going at people, taking the ball to them. I saw the floodgates just open."

Full Story

Football: Freddy Adu to Represent US on Under-20 National Team

Freddy Adu, the American teenage football superstar, will represent the U.S. under-20 national team for its friendly next week against Brazil.
Adu was one of 23 players selected for the squad. Five of the players, including Adu, compete in U.S. Major League Soccer. One plays professionally in France, and the rest were chosen from U.S. high schools and colleges.

Team USA faces Brazil Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

 

PSV eyeing Freddie Adu

PSV Eindhoven have admitted their desire to sign teenage sensation Freddy Adu amid rumours that the 14-year-old may be ready to follow his girlfriend to Netherlands.

Despite Adu signing a six-year professional contract with Major League Soccer club DC United in November last year, several of Europe's elite clubs continue to monitor his progress.

And now, after Adu's tennis-player girlfriend Stephanie Herz opted to leave the US to return to her native country, PSV feel they might stand a chance of signing the gifted youngster should he decide to follow Herz to the Netherlands.

Read More

Freddy Scores First Professional Goal!

Freddie Adu scored his first career MLS goal, but his feat was overshadowed as Fabian Taylor scored twice in a 13-minute, three-goal burst in the second half which gave the MetroStars a 3-2 victory against D.C. United at Giants Stadium.

Adu's 75th-minute goal, which made him the youngest player to score in an MLS game by almost two full years, brought United back to within one. DC United couldn't score another and they ended up losing the match.

Adu came into the match in the 54th minute as United boss Peter Nowak made a trio of attacking substitions in an effort to regain the upper hand. The changes finally paid dividends when another substitute, Joshua Gros, drove a cross from the left that rolled past a number of players before Adu stabbed it home from six yards out ahead of defender Chris Leitch.

Freddy Named to US U-20 National Team

D.C. United forward Freddy Adu was named today by U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team Coach Thomas Rongen to the 24-man roster that will face Haiti at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 21st at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The match will be part of the U-20’s third domestic training camp of the year, which will begin April 18th.

Adu is also the only returning player from the 2003 U-20 World Youth Championships team that took fifth place this past December in the United Arab Emirates.

Freddy Twists Ankle, Should Be OK for Saturday

Freddy Adu twisted his right ankle and sat out the last hour of D.C. United's practice Wednesday. After some ice and work with the trainer, the 14-year-old marquee player pronounced himself fine. His foot had been sore since he got kicked while practising in Florida three weeks ago, and this appeared to be just a flare-up. "I just kind of stepped on it wrong again," Adu said. Coach Peter Nowak was a little more cautious. "We have to make this ankle stronger," Nowak said. "We'll see how he's going to do tomorrow." Barring a relapse, Adu should be able to play Saturday when D.C. visits the Los Angeles Galaxy. But the injury could also be a convenient way to resolve Nowak's dilemma over whether his young star should start.

Freddy Plays in first MLS match!

Chants of "Freddy, Freddy" echoed throughout the stadium Saturday whenever a D.C. United player missed a scoring chance early in the second half. Finally, in the 61st minute, the moment arrived. Flashbulbs popped amid the roars as 14-year-old soccer prodigy Freddy Adu entered the game and became the youngest athlete to play in a major American professional sports league in well over a century. No one in RFK Stadium sat down for the next 10 minutes. Fans waited for magic that never came. Adu had few quality touches and never took a shot in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Major League Soccer season opener.

But the ice was broken on the career of soccer's next great American hope. "When I got out there, I just felt I was a step slower than normal," Adu said afterward. "But that was probably because of the whole atmosphere. I got some playing time. I didn't get as much as I'd like, but I got it out off the way, and now I'm ready to go. ... I'm glad it's over."

FULL STORY

Freddie and D.C. to get National Exposure on TV

Freddy Adu and D.C. United will get plenty of national attention this season. MLS unveiled its national television schedule yesterday, with United set to make the most appearances (nine) among the league's 10 teams. United's season opener on April 3 against the defending champion San Jose Earthquakes at RFK Stadium will be shown by ABC; the only other matches to be shown by the network are the All-Star Game on July 24 and MLS Cup on Nov. 14. ESPN2 will carry eight United games, including three against the rival New York/New Jersey MetroStars. Last year D.C. made six national TV appearances. Between 12 and 15 United games will be shown on a regional outlet. Comcast SportsNet has carried D.C. matches in the past, but details have yet to be released. Fox Sports World is also expected to show some United games, meaning almost all of the team's 30 matches will be televised. The team also announced two schedule changes: The Sept. 4 game at Chicago has been moved to Sept. 1 and the Oct. 16 regular season finale against the MetroStars has been pushed to Oct. 17. Last night, United dropped its third straight exhibition, 1-0 to the Kansas City Wizards before a standing-room-only crowd at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Adu played all 90 minutes.

Freddy is Highest Paid MLS Player

A list of MLS player compensation figures for 2004 being circulated by the Major League Soccer Players Union and obtained by Soccer America lists Freddy Adu as the highest paid player at $500,000 in 2004, although his base salary is listed at $300,000. The $500,000 figure includes guaranteed bonuses and other forms of compensation such as loyalty bonuses, marketing bonuses, car/housing allowances, etc. It does not include performance bonuses.

No truth to Freddy/Chelsea Rumors

The 14-year-old is regarded as the brightest prospect in world football, and many leading clubs have registered an interest in the kid who will begin his professional career with DC United. However, it has been rumoured that Chelsea have made an approach to the American club for first option on the youngster, although MLS Commissioner Gazidis has denied the speculation. "There is no truth to the rumours currently circulating that any club has any kind of option or other rights over Freddy Adu," Gazidis told Sky Sports. "Freddy's contract is with MLS and there is no third party involvement. "I hope that this will put to rest any ongoing speculation and allow Freddy and DC to focus on the task at hand."

FREDDY'S GOING TO THE MLS!!!

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Recent Update

Freddy Wins Honor

U.S. Soccer announced today the 2003 winners of the prestigious and increasingly popular Best of U.S. Soccer awards series. While finishing third for Best U.S. Soccer Story, fabulous 14-year-old Freddy Adu, who will join D.C. United as the first overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, was a natural selection for Best U.S. Goal (Youth National Team), with three nominations among the seven finalists. His double-360 dribbling effort for the U-17s against Poland on June 4 took the prize, edging U-23 forward David Testo’s miraculous 85-yard bomb against Mexico on May 14. The finalists for these second annual year-end awards were introduced across the week of Nov. 3-7 after U.S. head coaches Bruce Arena and April Heinrichs helped pick the seven nominees for each of the unique honors. The voting was done entirely by fans, with more than 25,000 votes being registered online at www.ussoccer.com from Nov. 10-Dec. 9, with each fan able to vote once a day for one or all of the 10 categories.

FREDDY PLAYS WITH U-20 SQUAD

Freddy Adu reached another milestone yesterday, when the 14-year-old D.C. United-bound forward started for the U.S. under-20 squad in its 2-0 victory over South Korea at the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates. Adu, a late addition to the roster, did not play in the opener against Paraguay and was a second-half substitute in the second game against Germany. He played 70 minutes yesterday as the Americans (2-1) won Group F and advanced to play Ivory Coast in the round of 16 on Monday. An American victory would set up a quarterfinal against defending champion Argentina or Egypt.

Freddy Was Named to US U-20 Roster for the FIFA World Championships - FULL STORY

Pending official FIFA approval, U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Thomas Rongen announced today that 14-year-old Freddy Adu will replace injured San Jose Earthquake Arturo Alvarez on the 20-player roster that will compete in the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates from Nov. 27-Dec. 19. The U.S. submitted their official tournament roster to FIFA on Nov. 14, but any listed player can be substituted with FIFA approval in the event of injury up to 24 hours in advance of a team's first match.

Freddy Wants to Play with Manchester United

Fresh from a hat trick to lead the U.S. Under-17’s to victory over Poland, Freddy Adu admitted that he would relish the opportunity to one day play for Manchester United. "I would love to end up in England some day playing for Manchester United or a team like that," he told the BBC. "I've loved them ever since I was a baby." Sir Alex Ferguson quickly moved this summer to start a relationship with the prodigy and his family.

Freddy Scores 3 to lead US to Victory

In that game against Poland, Freddy scored all of the United States goals as the US won, 3-2. In the rest of the Val de Marne Tournament in France, the U.S. Under-17 men's team finished 1-2 in the last week, losing to Japan and France by 2-0 scores.

United Want Freddy On Team

D.C. United coach Ray Hudson says that he would relish the opportunity to have U.S. Under-20 wunderkind Freddy Adu in his squad. Rumours have long circulated that the capital crew would have dibs on the 14-year old if and/or when he signs with MLS. "We've had Freddy in several time to train with us,” Hudson told USSoccerUK.com “He's extremely popular in the locker room, he's the most wonderful kid you could ever meet and he's a huge talent especially at his age." "He'd be a tremendous addition to the club, although I think it would be a bit of a traveling circus having the young boy prodigy traveling with us - Getting him time throughout an MLS season would be worth putting down your money to see." "He'd be a tremendous addition for the league, undoubtedly, because he is all the right stuff," he judged. "It's all genuine and it's full of incredible promise, the likes of which we in this country have never seen.

Freddy Serving Suspension

There is a strong possibility that striker Freddy Adu will be on the bench when the United States faces Spain on Wednesday in its final game of the group stage of FIFA's Under-17 World Championship. Adu, the youngest participant in the tournament as well as its leading goal scorer, would have to serve a one-game suspension should he received a third yellow card and, with the Americans already ensured a place in the quarterfinals, Coach John Ellinger is expected to use Adu only as a substitute should he need an offensive thrust late in the game.