As if a major soccer contract weren’t enough, Freddy Adu now has something else to make fellow 14-year-olds envious: a high school diploma.
The D.C. United forward graduated Friday morning from the Edison Academy in Bradenton, Fla., donning a cap and gown for the ceremony at the St. Peter and Paul Church.
“Not many people my age get to graduate from high school,” Adu said in an interview here this week before leaving his United teammates for the trip to Florida. “I’m very excited.”
Adu completed his studies in March through an accelerated program associated with Bradenton’s IMG Academy, where he lived for two years while training with U.S. national youth teams.
Adu signed a six-year contract with MLS last fall and debuted with United last month, becoming the youngest player in a major American sports league in more than 100 years. He has played in all eight of United’s games and scored two goals, including a dynamic 16-yard shot with his left foot after a curling run in the second half of Wednesday night’s loss to Los Angeles.
Adu and his family traveled to Florida on Thursday for the ceremony, taking him away from practice as United prepared for Saturday’s game at Colorado. Adu will rejoin the team in time for the game.
Adu has another milestone in a couple of weeks. He’ll turn 15 on June 2.
