Union parts company with Adu, inks Kleberson loan deal
- by Soccer America , Mar 25, 2013
[MLS TRANSACTIONS] Philadelphia Union finally got Freddy Adu off its books, reaching an agreement with the 23-year-old
midfielder to terminate his contract. The agreement paved the way for Adu to sign with Bahia and for the Union to sign Kleberson on loan from the Brazilian
club. Kleberson's signing gives the Union the only active MLS player to start on a World Cup championship team.
“We’re excited to have a player with his kind of experience
join an already talented roster,” Union manager John Hackworth said in a statement. “Kleberson has had success at the world’s highest level of
competition -- both on a club and international level -- and we hope he can add another dimension to our team.”
Kleberson, 33, started on Brazil’s 2002 World Cup
championship team and was selected to play in the 2010 World Cup. He is one of only three MLS players to have played in a World Cup final on a championship team. Branco (Brazil 1994) and Youri Djorkaeff (France 1998) both played for New York.
Adu had a falling out with Hackworth last season,
his second after his return to MLS following a European career that took him to five clubs. The Union was still on the hook for his Designated Player salary, which gave it little room to maneuver in
the offseason.
Adu made 35 appearances for the Union, scoring seven times and assisting twice.
Lothar Matheaus, won with Germany in 1990,and also played with New York.-
Man, to bad about Freddy. A sad product of
US soccer. US soccer should not jade kids that are 14. Obviously he was another extremely early peakers. Not saying he does not have talent. I think he is very talented and I even like watching him play.. but I think it went to his head. I heard he even demanded personal coaching at Bradenton.... wow.