Freddy Adu is an American professional soccer player who gained international fame as a teenage prodigy. He signed his first professional contract with D.C. United of Major League Soccer in 2004 at the age of 14, becoming the youngest American to do so. Despite the immense early hype and a career that saw him play for numerous clubs across Europe and the Americas, he is often cited as an example of unfulfilled potential in sports. Adu also represented the United States national team, earning 17 caps and scoring two goals for his country.