Freddy Adu. Who?

In 2004 a young African American, at the tender age of just 14, became one of the youngest athletes to sign a professional contract in the United States. He had already been tipped to be the next Pele, and outshine top American sportsmen such as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. Sports Illustrated branded him the Superhero that would take Soccer to a new level in the USA. Manufacturing heavyweight, Nike, agreed a $1 million contract with the prodigy when he was just 13.

The man, or boy, in question is Freddy Adu. By the fall of 2004 he was a household name. Endorsed by the great Pele, he was destined for spectacular things when he signed for MLS side D.C United. However less than a decade later the once boy wonder, has now left everyone wondering how everything went so wrong.

Born in Ghana in 1989, Adu arrived on the shores of America in 1997 after his mother won the Green Card Lottery; a program that allows permanent resident visas to natives of countries deemed to have low rates of immigration to the USA. By 2001, it was the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) who thought they had won the lottery.

Adu immediately began to display his footballing capabilities to those in his adopted home of Maryland and moved up the ranks quick. At the age of 12, Adu joined the IMG Academy in Florida. As most MLS clubs did not have youth systems, the IMG Academy was considered as the step below playing professional football in the USA. He would be there for just two years, when the demand for him to turn pro became too tempting for the teenager.

Manchester United and Inter Milan were reportedly interested in bringing Adu to Europe. Although, Adu was now beginning to be viewed as a cash cow for American football. Therefore, the MLS ensured Adu remained state side by including him in the 2004 MLS Super Draft. A deal was cut with Dallas Burn, who owned first pick in the draft, that meant D.C United would have first 'dibs' on Adu, in order to allow Freddy to be closer to home. At least somebody was thinking about the well being of the misguided and heavily exploited 14 year old.

Although starting well, Adu's first season at D.C United didn't quite go to plan. He made his debut against San Jose Earthquakes on the opening day of the season, becoming the youngest player to play in the MLS. As he crossed the playing line, America celebrated what they thought was the beginning of a new era. Less than a fortnight later the teenage prodigy scored his first professional goal, again, the youngest to do so in the league's history. But this would be the highlights of Adu's baptism of fire.

His spell at D.C United gradually turned sour as the teenager seemingly became weighted down by the pressure. Game time was limited and goals were a rarity. Despite this, Adu was made the highest paid player in the MLS, earning $500,000 per year, most likely because his price as a commodity was outweighing his importance as a player. Nevertheless he was still given opportunities and even featured in two all star games.

After a fall out with D.C coach Piotr Nowak, Adu was treading thin ice and the door marked exit, was now gaping. The youngster did, however, continue to give his all, but it seemed that this was a last gasp attempt to secure a now desired move to Europe.

After 87 games and a mere 11 goals for D.C United, Freddy Adu did get his move, although he would remain in the MLS with Real Salt Lake. By this time, Adu's reputation was in decline, his confidence in concordance.

His stay in Utah with Real Salt Lake was short lived, 11 games to be precise. After an impressive Under 20 World Cup with the American national side, Adu earned his dream ticket to Europe when Benfica came calling. At a cut back price of $2 million, people in Europe thought Benfica had a bargain. You see, much of Europe were naive to Freddy Adu's failure to live up to the hype in America. They still saw him as a promising talent. They were wrong.

To say Adu didn't take Europe by storm, would be an understatement. Infact he was nothing more than a light breeze. He yet again failed to brake the 11 game mark at his new club, and left Benfica on loan, the destination Monaco, a team heading down the same bleak road that the once boy wonder now found himself on.

A season long loan at Monaco saw him make just 9 appearances without finding the net. Failure to score became a habit for Adu, matching the stalemate at Belenenses, although with just 3 appearances to his name, he didn't have much of a chance.

His troubled time in Portugal was made worse by injuries. It seemed that nothing could go right for the boy who seemingly had everything at the age of 14.

The following season he joined Greek side Aris. Despite finding the net for the first time in two years, Adu again failed to make double digits in terms of appearances. Europe were now well aware that the one time phenomenon was just another run of the mill American import.

Freddy hit rock bottom when he was loaned out, once more, to Caykur Rizespor, a Turkish second division side who weren't even regarded as promotion candidates. Although, he did form some degree of redemption in Turkey, scoring 4 goals in 11 games.

His name was thrown in the international pot once again, after a two year exile between 2009 and 2011. He was selected for the 2011 Gold Cup after impressing in Turkey, but made just two appearances, albeit in the semi final and final.

Failing to establish himself in Europe, Adu headed back to America. He signed on a free transfer for Philadelphia Union, ironically managed by his once D.C United coach Piotr Nowak. And if Freddy was expecting to be welcomed back to America as a hero, he was wrong.

Adu had been given the chance to start a fresh at Philadelphia. He single handedly disposed of all the expectation placed on him at a very young age. His hunger for the game returned and he was gradually recapturing some of the magic that graced him as a teenager.

In fairness he somewhat steadied the ship at Philly. He still struggled to find the back of the net, although goalscoring was not so much of a requirement. Just like many other seasoned journeymen, Adu moved further back the field, now being deployed as a midfielder. The funny thing is, he is still only 23.

But just as things began to look up, Freddy was once again brought back down to earth. This time it was new Philly coach John Hackworth that decided to publicly criticise Adu. Standing his ground, Adu spoke back and paid the price.

He is now struggling to hold down a starting place once again and is apparently not in Jurgen Klinsmann's plans for the national side. It seems like we have gone full circle, with Freddy reportedly looking for another move away from America.

He may want to try his hand at Europe once again, or maybe pastures new in Asia. He may be suited to the Asian market, as they will no doubt buy in to his boyhood stories there. His style of play may also suit the far east.

But lets face it, Freddy Adu may well be the biggest anti-climax to come out of the USA ever.

He certainly has the likable factor and maintains a positive attitude. But a failed stint in Europe, the absence of a World Cup appearance and two torrid spells in his homeland, does not look good on a CV. It seems like the next Pele, would have ultimately failed to lace the great mans boots.

However, I think the people that directed, or rather misdirected, Freddy Adu at a young age must take a long hard look at themselves. What 13 year old would turn down a $1 million contract with the biggest manufacturing company in the world? What 14 year old would turn down the chance to play professional football? Maybe one who was not used as a promotional tool for American soccer and ultimately the USA itself.