Benfica, Portugal (My Sportsbook) - Portuguese club Benfica has loaned United States midfielder Freddy Adu to French club Monaco for the 2008-09 season. Adu, 19, left Major League Soccer in the U.S. to join Benfica last July. He was used in 21 games and scored five goals, but started just two times. Benfica has had three coaches since Adu arrived, which led to his unsettled season. He will join Monaco, which finished 12th in the French Ligue 1 last season, on a season-long loan. Monaco has the option of signing Adu to a permanent deal. Adu's pro career started in 2004 when he signed a contract with D.C. United in MLS when he was just 14. He will play with the U.S. team in next month's Olympics in China, meaning he will miss the start of the Ligue 1 season. The Olympic men's soccer tournament is Aug. 7-23. Monaco opens the Ligue 1 season on Aug. 9. |
