Much hype 18-year-old Ghana-born US forward Freddy Adu has finally left the MLS to play for portugese side Benfica.Adu was given a trial at Manchester United, his favourite club, but was rejected back to the MLS, however Benfica stepped in and made a bid of $2 million USD and has clinched his signature.

A posting on Benfica’s web site said Adu took part on Tuesday in his first training session with the Portugese club after leaving MLS-worst Real for what the Salt Lake Tribune reported to be a five-year deal worth 550,000 dollars a season.

“This is certainly a scenario that does not surprise us and we would like to thank Freddy for his time here and wish him the best of luck,” Real coach Jason Kreis said.

Adu, expected to command a two million-dollar transfer fee, played for DC United, his hometown squad, until a trade to Real for this season, which has seen the team stumble to 1-9 with six drawn, on pace for the worst mark in MLS history.

A stellar performance earlier this month at the under-20 World Cup in Canada helped the Americans reach the quarter-finals and boosted Adu’s stock overseas, where he had hoped to play in the upcoming season.

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