
The Ghana-born forward went on to score 11 goals in 94 senior matches for the MLS outfit before being sold to Real Salt Lake, where he further enhanced his reputation as one of the most talented young players in world football.
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Benfica won the race to bring Adu to Europe when they forked out £1 million to sign the teenager in July 2007, but he struggled for regular playing time during his first season in Portugal. The ex-United States international was sent out on loan to Monaco the following year after only managing four goals in 17 appearances for the Primeira Liga giants, which marked the beginning of a downward spiral.
Looking back on a turbulent career that has ultimately seen him fail to live up to his early promise, Adu has expressed regret over his decision to join Monaco after overshadowing Di Maria at Benfica.
“The biggest mistake I made in my career was leaving Benfica on loan to Monaco,” Adu told The Blue Wire Podcast. “I say it from the heart. It was one of those decisions that, if I could take it again, I wouldn’t make it. “I had three coaches in a year in Benfica. The club was in such a dysfunctional moment that I just wanted to get out of there and go the other way as soon as possible.

“He had the chance to play with a coach who later came and became a starter. A year or two later he went to Real Madrid. And I ended up being loaned to a secondary team. “I made the worst possible decision for my career. It is my biggest regret.”