The Philadelphia Union's Cryptic "New Player Announcement" Means Freddy Adu Is MLS-Bound

According to a press release sent out by the Philadelphia Union around 3:30 p.m., the team "will introduce their newest team member" at noon. Their CEO, manager and "new team member" will all be available for comment.

The implied veil of secrecy is a soccer staple, but the email came after a whole bunch of reports that one-time American-soccer messiah Freddy Adu would be returning stateside to play MLS ball.

After initially being linked to a move to Chivas USA, sources have told Fox Soccer that Adu will in fact be signing with the Philadelphia Union. An announcement on the move is expected to be made on Friday.

Adu was all set to sign with Chivas USA, which had lined up a move to acquire him as a Designated Player, but the move fell apart at the last minute when Chivas USA owner Jorge Vergara decided the move wasn't the direction he wanted the club to go in. That decision paved the way for Adu to sign with the Union.

The signing re-unites Adu with Union head coach Peter Nowak, who was head coach of D.C. United during Adu's early years in MLS.

After stints with D.C. United and Real Salt Lake, he was transferred over to Benfica in Portugal, which then loaned him out to teams in France, Portugal, Greece and Turkey. He showed signs of sport-messiah revival for the US side in the Gold Cup earlier this year, too. While it's not as high profile as a Beckham or a Thierry Henry, Adu's a nice little pickup for a sophomore team that could make the playoffs.

Oh yeah, in non-American soccer news, it looks like Cesc Fabregas is finally Barcelona's to have and to hold; Arsenal's also poised to lose Samir Nasri to Man City. Tough day for the Gunners.

Freddy Adu nails deal with Union [Fox Sports]

The Freddy Adu Show [YouTube]