Freddy Adu, Ghanaian-American footballer
Fredua "Freddy" Koranteng Adu (born June 2, 1989) is an American soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder. The last club he played for was Ettan Fotboll club Österlen FF.
From before the time of his signing with D.C. United at the age of 14, Adu was spoken of as "the next Pelé". However, he failed to live up to the expectations and, after leaving D.C. United in 2006, he became a journeyman, playing for fifteen teams in nine countries: the United States, Portugal, Monaco, Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Serbia, Finland, and Sweden.
At D.C. United, Adu broke several records. First, he became the youngest athlete ever to sign a professional contract in the United States at 14 years old, after he was selected by the team in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft in January 2004. Three months later, he became the youngest player to appear in a Major League Soccer (MLS) game when he came on as a substitute in a game against the San Jose Earthquakes, and on April 17, he became the youngest scorer in MLS history, scoring a goal in a 3–2 loss to the MetroStars.
Making his full international debut for the United States national team at the age of 16 in 2006, he has won 17 caps for his country and was a part of the US squads at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as well as at the 2009 and 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cups. He also represented the United States Olympic team at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
1989Jun, 2
Freddy Adu
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Events on 1989
- 15Apr
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
Upon Hu Yaobang's death, the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 begin in China. - 26Apr
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
People's Daily publishes the April 26 Editorial which inflames the nascent Tiananmen Square protests - 27Apr
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The April 27 demonstrations, student-led protests responding to the April 26 Editorial, during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. - 20May
Tiananmen Square massacre
The Chinese authorities declare martial law in the face of pro-democracy demonstrations, setting the scene for the Tiananmen Square massacre. - 5Jun
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tank Man halts the progress of a column of advancing tanks for over half an hour after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.