Freddy Adu Becomes Youngest Professional Athlete

On April 3, 2004, Freddy Adu becomes the youngest player in American Professional Sports in over a century, at 14 years old.

Freddy Adu as a member of the United States Men's National Team.

Adu started his career playing for D.C. United, making 87 appearances from 2004 through 2006. In 2007 he was traded to Real Salt Lake, where he made 11 appearances in 2007.

Halfway through the season with Real Salt Lake, Adu opted out of playing for Real, before a regular-season match, and later that day boarded a plane for Portugal to negotiate with Benfica.

Only July 30, Benfica issued a statement announcing that Adu had been transferred to their club. On Aug. 14, 2007, Adu made his debut with Benfica against Copenhagen in a UEFA League Qualifying match.

In 2011, Adu returned to Major League Soccer, signing with the Philadelphia Union, reuniting him with former D.C. Unites and US national U23 coach Piotr Nowak. Adu’s debut for the Union came on Aug. 13, against FC Dallas.

Adu, who was highly touted as a young professional played on the U17 United States National soccer team from 2002-2003, the U20 US National team from 2003-2009, and currently plays on the US U23 team and for the United States National Men’s team.