Looks good on you
The long nightmare of Freddy Adu’s summer transfer saga is over. For now. Adu announced on twitter that Greek club Aris is where he will be plying his trade for the next year.
Adu spent the second half of last season on loan at Aris along with fellow American Eddie Johnson. Adu started off brightly with an assist and a goal in his first few matches but petered out after that.
This summer it was clear Benfica wanted nothing to do with the former American soccer starlet and Adu has been searching for a new home. Adu had a tryout with FC Sion in Switzerland but failed to land the gig.
At 21, Adu is still young, but his failure to achieve any success in the last three years in Europe does not bode well for his future. He’ll likely be back in MLS next year after his Benfica contract runs out because he can still be a name in MLS although he will never live up to the lofty expectations and projections everybody put on him. Such is life, but at least he got paid.
ooh, I need to amend my Greece League preview now.
I just don’t understand why a player like this wouldn’t go back to MLS. He could get regular playing time (which he wasn’t toward the end of that deal w/Aris) and he would have a bit more of a look for national call-ups if he’s on form. I mean, look @ Edson Buddle, he was able to translate a good start to the MLS season to featuring in South Africa. Does this guy have a manager or handler that clues him in to these types of things?
@OM: I would imagine it has to do with salary issues. MLS not willing to pay what he is making now. If that is the case, then clearly Adu wants to make as much money now as he can because he probably realizes he won’t be making as much later.
Honestly, though, where would he go? DC United is pants and I don’t want him anywhere near the team. So does that mean a bench position on a contender? I’m guessing he rates himself higher than that.
@ berg: Well, he’s been a bencher for European clubs for most of his career, so sitting @ LA would be no different. But, a club that might not mind a little extra attention their way, say like Kansas City, could take a punt on him. TFA’s probably nailed the issue–player wages.
@OM:
Only spot he could play in KC would be where Ryan Smith is playing, and Adu could sniff Smiths jock. Adu going to play over Omar Bravo? The other attackers are hard nosed big guys that are fast to boot; Adu wouldnt sniff the starting lineup in KC.
@ MOUF: But Omar’s not in there right now, didn’t he go back on loan to his Mexican side for now? In any event, most people have no idea that Ryan Smith’s a good young midfielder for KC b/c they’ve never heard of KC. They have heard of Adu, though, I was just noting that there could be some MLS club that could use a MF and a name that could draw some casual fans, that’s all.
@OM, I feel he is very prideful and would feel like a failure returning to MLS with his tail between his legs.
@ OM: True, but I’m not sure how he can develop his game further by sitting a good deal @ Aris or some other Euro club as opposed to actually playing. Again, he’s only 21, but it already seems he has been doing some tail tucking for a bit now.
^^@ irish, geez.
OM: that’s some existential s**t right there, responding to yourself and all.
@ berg: How do we learn without learning? How do we wheel without the deal? Such is the Tao te Ching.
His best bet is to move in with Bob Bradley and not play for a club. Just tey to play for the USMNT.