Former teen soccer sensation Freddy Adu set to join Rowdies

in Sports/Top Headlines by

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have invested in a little star power to their lineup.

Freddy Adu is on his way.

Adu, one of the most publicized young players in the history of United States soccer may be short of the huge expectations placed upon him as a teenager. But the Rowdies are taking a risk that there is enough magic in his legs to help in their Fall season.

Adu, once called “the next Pele” has spent the last three years playing in Brazil, Serbia and Finland since leaving the Philadelphia Union but has not stuck with any of them for more than three months. He recently left Finish side KuPS to “pursue other offers.”

For the Rowdies, the signing will reunite Adu with former coach Thomas Rongen.

Adu should debut for the Rowdies on July 18 against FC Edmonton.

Gary Shelton is one of the most recognized and honored sportswriters in the history of the state. He has won the APSE's national columnist of the year twice and finished in the top 10 eight times. He was named the Florida Sportswriter of the Year six times. Gary joined SaintPetersBlog in the spring, helping to bring a sports presence to the website. Over his time in sports writing, Gary has covered 29 Super Bowls, 10 Olympics, Final Fours, Masters, Wimbledons and college national championships. He was there when the Bucs won a Super Bowl, when the Lightning won a Stanley Cup and when the Rays went to a World Series. He has seen Florida, FSU and Miami all win national championships, and he covered Bear Bryant, Bobby Bowden and Don Shula along the way. He and his wife Janet have four children: Eric, Kevin, K.C. and Tori. To contact, visit [email protected].