Benfica close in on Adu

Benfica are close to signing Freddy Adu from Major League Soccer.

The highly-rated 18-year-old midfielder, who was captain of the US team at the Under-20 World Cup this year, arrived in Portugal on Monday and it is understood the Lisbon club have agreed a US dollars 2million deal to sign him.

The club confirmed in a statement Adu would undergo a medical.

“We have reached an agreement in principle with Major League Soccer to acquire player Freddy Adu for the sum of USD 2million,” read the statement.

“The sale will be completed as soon as an agreement with the player is reached and when he successfully passes the medical he will undertake.”

Adu became the youngest player in MLS history when he signed for DC United in November 2003 aged 14.

He subsequently joined Real Salt Lake last year and had been linked with Scottish giants Celtic before Benfica moved for him.