Report: Freddy Adu To Sign With Serbian Club Jagodina This Weekend

Freddy Adu’s long, twisted journey through the soccer world is about to take him to another exotic location.

Adu is closing in on a deal to join Serbian club FK Jagodina, according to the Sporting News.

“Sources tell Sporting News/Goal USA that Adu will travel to Serbia on Thursday to attend the club’s (UEFA) Europa League match against CFR Cluj,” the report says. “He is expected to finalize his deal with the club on Friday or Saturday.”

Jagodina finished third in Serbia’s Superliga (first division) in 2013-14, earning a place in the qualifying rounds for this season’s UEFA Europa League. Jagadina manager Mladen Dodic or his superiors apparently think Adu can help the club compete domestically and in Europe.

Adu, 24, has been a free agent since he was released by Brazilian club Esporte Clube Bahia in December 2013.

Since then, Adu has had unsuccessful tryouts with Blackpool (of England’s Championship or second division), Norway’s Stabaek (first division) and the Netherlands’ Az Alkmaar (first division). Adu also received interest from clubs in Cyprus, India and Sweden, according to the Sporting News.

Adu was once a U.S. Soccer prodigy, whom many thought would become a global superstar. Adu turned professional in 2004 at age 14 when he signed with Major League Soccer and joined hometown club DC United.

Adu was one of the top young players in the world, but he failed to meet the expectations heaped upon him — many of them unrealistic. Adu’s form and confidence suffered during his developmental years, and he has struggled to find a willing employer, as he enters what should be the prime years of his professional career.

If Adu joins Jagodina this week, it would be his 10th club in 10 years as a professional player.