Freddy Adu

Born: June 2, 1989
Birthplace: Ghana
Soccer

professional soccer player, made history in April 2004, when he stepped onto the field to play in his first Major League Soccer game. His team, D.C. United, beat San Jose 2-1 in the season opener. He's the youngest athlete to play in a major American sports league since 1887, when 14-year-old Fred Chapman played professional baseball in Philadelphia. In November 2003, Adu signed with D.C. United, earning a salary of $500,000 a year. Earlier in 2003 he also signed an advertising contract with Nike worth $1 million. Born in Ghana, Africa, Freddy moved to Maryland with his family in 1997 when his family won a green-card lottery. He became a U.S. citizen in 2002. Adu's talents extend beyond the soccer field. In his first jayvee basketball game, he scored 28 points. He also won the top prize at an art show.

 
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