Adu in Portugal, set to sign for Benfica

[Zeppo]

Adu set to sign for Benfica

Freddy Adu is on the verge of signing for Benfica after the Portuguese side reportedly agreed a fee of $2 million (£985,710) with MLS for his signature.

The Real Salt Lake player has flown to Lisbon where he is expected to sign a five-year contract with the club.

Adu, who has one full international cap for the US, has been the subject of a speculated move to Europe for some time, with Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea having been linked to the talented youngster.

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[HL]

The USA has an abundance of talent.

Don't believe? Jusss ax Mosiah and Lazie.

[Mosiah]

Why would they not!? They also have an abundance of resources to maximise their talent, which is a good thing!

[Lazie]

The USA has an abundance of talent.

Don't believe? Jusss ax Mosiah and Lazie.

It was said that Jamaica have 25 Freddy! Still curious whey dem deh?

[Zeppo]

[HL]

Adobe photoshop pickcha dat.

[Zeppo]

1st training session

[Mosiah]

18, huh? Then I am Cindere...no, let's not use that one!

[Zeppo]

BENFICA OFFICIALLY CONFIRMS ADU

The saga is finally over, 18-year old Freddy Adu has left Major League soccer and is now an official member of Benfica.

The former Real Salt Lake midfielder from Washington, DC signed a five year contract for the club, and will be presented to his new fans next week when the club unveils their new stadium for the upcoming season.

"Freddy will be presented with the rest of the new signings next week, at the new Stadio de Luiz," Benfica Press Officer Roberto Mayo told YA. "This is where we will present all the new players and the team for the new season."

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[Mosiah]

Good for him! He is now closer to the real Reals!

[Peter R]

How old is Adu again?

[HL]

C'mmon now Peter R. This is a Mosiah-type query.

'Knowing' you, your question is just in gest.

[Zeppo]

Portuguese league the right place for Adu to develop

In 3½ MLS seasons, Freddy Adu showed he could play a technical game and also survive physically against rough-and-tumble opposition. Those qualities will serve Adu well in Portugal.

The Portuguese Superliga has a reputation for technical play but it also has a hard side which reflects the character of Portugal, a self-contained country built to endure. But there is no guarantee Adu will thrive with SL Benfica, which paid the MLS $1.46 million euros ($2 million) to acquire him. And this is precisely the situation Adu needs.

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[Bricktop]

Isn't it about time he let's go of his mommy's hand now? I mean for godness sake be a man.

[Zeppo]

Adu interviewed on Benfica move

On Wednesday night SI.com snagged the first interview with Freddy Adu since the 18-year-old U.S. attacking midfielder signed a five-year contract with the Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.

Adu is coming off a standout performance at the Under-20 World Cup, and his move to European soccer ends a three-and-a-half year MLS career with D.C. United and Real Salt Lake that was marked by insanely high expectations when he signed with the league at 14, occasional highlight-reel moments and (let's be honest) a fair amount of frustration by both Adu and his MLS coaches.

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