Adu's Benfica deal is done

Freddy Adu has completed his transfer move to Benfica. He arrived in Portugal on Monday and didn't waste any time settling in. He passed a physical and signed a five-year deal with the club, completing a $2 million transfer from MLS. Adu went through his first training session on Tuesday.

The deal came complete with some revisionist history from MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis, who provided this gem:

"Freddy, when we signed him, was one of most talented young players in the world. I think, today, he still is one of most young talented players in the world," Gazidis said. "What we've struggled with is the expectations, not that we've placed on him, but that the media has placed on him."

Oh really? The media turned Freddy's career into a circus? So it was the media that bent MLS rules to place Adu on DC United. It was also the media, and not MLS commissioner Don Garber who called Adu the best teenage soccer player in the world and gave him a place in the All-Star Game. And it had to be the media that paid Adu a $500,000 salary and made him the center of MLS marketing campaigns. I must have missed the media meetings where we decided to do all that.

Someone might want to save this quote for a few years from now when MLS tries to blame the media for the David Beckham signing getting so much hype.

Enough about that. Adu is now a Benfica player and his development as a US national team prospect can continue. I know there are plenty of skeptics who don't think he'll play much but I really believe the move could wind up being ideal for him. He may not play right away but he will have a chance to develop there and it wouldn't shock me at all if he plays some good minutes for Benfica this year.

Comments

[Julio]

This will be great for the US. Having F. Adu play in the Portugal will define his game even more. I think the US will have a player that will be ready for the WC in 2010. He has to be on the squad this time around. If not I don't blame him for going to play for Ghana (he was offered to play for them his this last WC, he declined). The irony is that Ghana beat us and advanced to play Brazil. Either way I think Adu will be in a US jersey come 2010 and not in the stands.

[Matt]

Good luck Freddy! I really hope he's a smashing success at Benfica.

[Tim]

Good luck Freddy!!!

[Matt]

Ives, do you have any insight on whether MLS will get a piece of any future transfer of Adu to another club?

[Sandro]

Good Luck Freddy!!!...it would have been nice to have seen Freddy Adu vs David Beckham. But this will be good for him to continue to develop his skills and hopefully promote MLS. Hasn't Adu already played for the Men's national team against Canada? Does it mean he can't play for Ghana?

[Michael F.]

"Hold back the tears?" Is that sarcasm Ives? I hope Freddy does great. No young player should have to deal with what MLS put on his shoulders. Here's his chance to be a littler fish in a bigger pond and a chance to mke it happen. I bet he does!

[mosler]

cute frog!

[Ives]

I swear people are way too sensitive.

Yes, it was sarcasm. Can anyone take a joke around here?

Doesn't mean he's not a great young player who could flourish in Europe. I believe I've stated my opinion on Adu enough times to be able to have some fun with a post about him.

[Tony M]

>The Freddy Adu era is officially over in MLS. Try and hold back the tears.

Oh stop being so cynical. Like it was Freddy's fault that he was an incredibly talented 14 year old put under incredible pressure. (Note: Only a mild remonstration here.)

That aside, I always feel a bit ambivalent about US players going to Europe. Oh, sure, intellectually I understand. They deserve the chance to earn more money and respect, it develops their game, it is good for the entire pool of US players that top players go.

But my regrets boil down to something simple: I won't get to see them play. This is especially true of Freddy. I have three soccer channels, and I don't think I get Portugal league games. I selfishly look forward to the day MLS serves top players well enough so that they can stay here and play - and to the day when we break a few European hearts by bringing top young players over here.

[JD]

Freddy will do well. All the best to him. Here's to more Benfica coverage on FSC.

[MattM]

Good for him. Hope it works out well. Portuguese teams have a knack for allowing young players to develop without the ridiculous burden of expectations laid on them by MLS (and other leagues starved for stars.) He'll be surrounded by strong, technical players, and if he progresses as I hope, we'll see him wearing #11 for the USA soon.

[Tony M]

Note to IVES:

I posted my comment before you were 'lectured' about the tears. I hope you can take a joke too - my comments are meant with a mild dose of sarcasm too.

[Paul Lorinczi]

Let's hope the boy is allowed to develop his game and contribute on the National Team level come 2010.

He set out to use the U20 WC to attract attention from abroad. The boy achieved a goal and Benfica are not a bad club for him to find himself.

Chances are, if he does well or better than other American players in Europe, he could find himself at a bigger club in a couple of years.

Go Freddy!

[Ives]

I can take jokes after 10am. Before that my sense of humor isn't awake yet.

As for whether MLS has a piece of a future Adu sale, that hasn't been revealed yet but wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Brad]

Did anyone see the response the Benfica fans gave him in the airport yesterday? It was incredible. There's a video posted on this page showing all the people welcoming him. I wish soccer would get bigger in this country. Yeah, I'm impatient.

http://usa.worldcupblog.org/youth-players/freddy-arrives-to-open-arms-portugal.html

[Chancho]

(Im Glad he left to Europe. I looks like Benfica is trying to reconstruct a team that will win Championships for them. They obviously believe on Adu talents to take them somewhere. Freddy surrounded with good coaches will test his ability to take his Game to the next level.......... If he Fails there is always home for him to come back and play......!
No matter what the Kid is really good for his age!
Have Fun Freddy!

[Istvan from Budapest]

We'll see what he's made of when the season begins.

Best of luck, Freddy!

[Chancho]

I just saw a video of his arrival to Portugal airport. There where all this reporters and Fans waiting for him. The supports looks like 1000 times greater then here in the states. I really hope that gives him an extra push to try harder.

[Derek]

There is reportedly no sell-on clause for MLS to benefit from in the future. According to a press release by the club, Benfica bought 100% of Adu's rights.

I am happy for Freddy but I do think it is a sad day for MLS. Adu is one of a few players I will go out of my way to watch. Fortunately, MLS has had quite a few good days recently so the league will certainly be fine.

[Matt]

If that's true, it's terrible business by MLS.

[Derek]

Matt,
It is hard to believe that Benfica wouldn't have agreed to give up at least a 10% stake in future sales of Adu when they are paying such a small fee. Who knows...maybe the report is incorrect.

[MetroFlip73]

Freddy always wanted to go to Europe. Good for him that he found a club that he likes. His Mom is with him too. he should be able to adapt ok.

He'll be fine.

Go Freddy!

[Chrisnj]

Julio, I understand what you are saying, but I do believe that Freddie has already been capped (Jan 22, 2006 - vs. Canada). He came in late in the game. This would make him unable to play for Ghana or any other country. A smart move strategically (I am sure the USSF wanted to prevent your worst case scenario - playing for Ghana)seeing that Adu hasn't seen any action since with the senior side. Cheers mate!

[sigma olomouc]

I don't believe the Canada game was a FIFA sanctioned friendly. As such, I don't think Freddy is barred from playing for Ghana.

[Julio]

Hi Ives,
Can you clear up this question on wether Adu can still play for Ghana?
I read somewhere that he has until he is 21 to choose a country if it is not a W.C qualifying game is that correct? I don't remember the rule, but it's something along those lines. SOmething to do with his age and the type of game that is played with the Country.