Belenenses have terminated the loans of two players, including Ghanaian born African American forward Freddy Adu, as they look to turn their fortunes around in Liga Sagres.
The 20-year-old striker came to the club on loan from Benfica, which he signed for in 2007 in a move from Real Salt Lake in the American Major League Soccer. He appeared in just four games for Belenenses, who have just seven goals in 14 games and sit bottom of the table.
In addition to Adu, the Portuguese sports daily Record reports that Belenenses manager Toni has terminated the loan deal of Sevilla’s Brazilian striker Igor, who made just three first-team appearances in Portuguese top-flight play.
Once heralded as a prodigy in American soccer circles, Adu’s professional career has thus far failed to live up to media hype. He even wanted to play for the Ghana national team in the World Cup after representing the USA in the U-17 and U-21 category at FIFA Championships.
After moving from D.C. United to Real Salt Lake, Adu signed in 2007 with Benfica. There, he appeared in 11 games, but was loaned to Monaco the following season. After an unsuccessful spell there, he returned to Benfica, only to be loaned out again to Belenenses at the start of the current campaign.