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D.C. United

With Draft's Top Pick, Freddy Adu Officially Joins D.C. United

January 16, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC (January 16, 2004) - With the first overall selection in todayÂ’s 2004 MLS SuperDraft held at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, D.C. United obtained 14-year-old phenom Freddy Adu. Adu will join the Black-and-Red in Bradenton, FL on February 9th as a part of the clubÂ’s preseason training schedule and will be available for selection in UnitedÂ’s season opener, April 3, 2004 at RFK Stadium. Kick-off for the match is set for 4:00 p.m. ET.

“I’m in awe of everything that has happened to me,” said Adu. “Since I moved to this country, I’ve been a huge fan of D.C. United. That’s why I’m so excited to be a part of this organization and hope that I can help lead this team back to its winning ways.”

An electrifying goal-scorer who combines pace with standout ball skills, Adu captured the international spotlight during last fall’s FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Finland, where he led the U.S. squad into the quarterfinals of the tournament. He kicked off the tournament with a bang, netting a hat trick in a 6-1 victory over the Korea Republic in the team's opening match on Aug. 14. He followed that up with the game-winning goal vs. Sierra Leone three days later. His four goals ranked him second among the top goal scorers at the event. The 5’8”, 140-pound striker was also the catalyst of the U.S. team's qualifying run to the U-17 World Championships, with a goal and an assist in two 3-0 wins against Jamaica and Guatemala in March in a qualifying tournament highlighted by several spectacular plays from Adu.

Adu later joined the U.S. U-20 National Team in November at the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates. The late addition by Head Coach Thomas Rongen saw action in four of the teamÂ’s five tournament matches, starting the last three, in route to a fifth place finish for the Red, White and Blue, the countryÂ’s best result at the event since 1989. Adu tallied an assist on Bobby ConveyÂ’s 59th minute goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Argentina in the quarterfinals.

Adu, who emigrated with his family from Ghana to Potomac, MD in 1997, finished 2003 by earning honors from U.S. Soccer. Adu yesterday was named Young Male Athlete of the Year by a landslide and was a natural selection for Best U.S. Goal (Youth National Team). His double-360 dribbling effort for the U-17s against Poland on June 4 took the prize. He finished third in the voting for Best U.S. Soccer Story.

Adu, born June 2, 1989, signed with Major League Soccer on November 18, 2003. He turned down lucrative offers from prestigious European clubs to sign with the League as a part of the Nike Project-40 program. The teenager will continue his education at the Edison Learning Center in Bradenton, FL where he will earn his high school diploma in May, 2004 prior to his 15th birthday at the conclusion of an accelerated three-year program. The Nike Project-40 program, introduced in a 1997 joint venture between MLS, the U.S. Soccer Federation and Nike, was established to enhance and accelerate the development of America's top young soccer players. In addition to their League salaries, members of the Nike Project-40 program are provided a five-year academic package that can be applied toward their continuing education.

After joining U.S. Soccer's full-time Residency Program in January, 2002, Adu immediately left his mark with the U.S. Under-17 National Team, finishing second on the team in scoring with 22 goals in 2002 and following that up with a team-leading 29 goals in 46 matches in 2003. A High School All-American as a freshman, Adu was also a member of the Under-14 Boys National Team camp in 2001. The 2003 Parade Player of the Year was also the youngest ever Parade High School All-American in any sport when he made the team as a 12-year-old freshman.

WHAT ADUÂ’S TEAMMATES ARE SAYING ABOUT HIM:

Ryan Nelsen, Defender

“I think that it’s fantastic for such a young talent to be on our team. As teammates, it’s going to be exciting for us to help Freddy develop and grow as a player on and off the field. It’s going to be exciting for the whole team and for the fans, as well. I’m looking forward to having him on board.”

Ben Olsen, Midfielder

“I’m very excited for Freddy. I’ve known him for a couple of years and he is not your average 14-year-old. He is going to have to make a lot of adjustments at this level but he is a humble kid and I know he will be willing to put in the hard work and do whatever it takes to be a true professional. I can’t wait to see him blossom into the special player he is going to be.”

Nick Rimando, Goalkeeper

“Freddy is a good kid. He’s young and is very humble. He is going to learn every day and hopefully, he will contribute to our team. If he works hard and does well in practice, it will allow his game to shine on game days. I can’t wait to play with him.”

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