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AMERICAN MORNING

Soccer Prodigy

Aired November 20, 2003 - 09:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, he's too young to drink, drive or vote, but 14-year-old Freddy Adu is on the fast track to soccer stardom. The prodigy turned pro yesterday, signed a multiyear deal with Major League Soccer's D.C. United. He's staying in this country. That contract makes him the league's highest paid player. Freddy's pro career will begin in the spring, right around the time he's finishing high school.
Good morning, Freddy.

FREDDY ADU, 14-YEAR-OLD PRO SOCCER PLAYER: Good morning.

HEMMER: Great to see you.

How's does it feel being a pro now?

ADU: The same way it felt two days ago.

HEMMER: No difference, huh?

ADU: No difference.

HEMMER: Well, you're kind of in a different category these days, though, right?

ADU: Yes, yes.

HEMMER: Why did you want to stay close to home in D.C.?

ADU: Well, because I am only 14, and you know, I talked about this with my mom. She wants me to, you know, she wants me to just be around her for a little bit longer, and that had a little bit to do with my decision.

HEMMER: When did you think you were a pretty special player? What age?

ADU: When I -- I don't know, around 5 years old.

HEMMER: Really? That young? What were you doing at 5?

ADU: I was playing with kids that were 10 years old, 9, and I was holding my own.

HEMMER: Is that right?

ADU: Yes. HEMMER: I read a story about your family. They won an immigration Lottery back in Ghana, which allowed them access to the U.S. How did that work?

ADU: We just applied for an immigration lottery, and the chances of winning that are very slim. And somehow, you know, we won it, and we had the opportunity to come here.

HEMMER: You became a U.S. citizen this past year, February. What did that mean to you?

ADU: That meant a lot. I mean, this country's treated me so well. It's given me a lot, you know, a lot of opportunities, and to become a citizen, just, I was very excited. And my mom was, too.

HEMMER: What do you think about the attention right now? It's coming fast and furious, isn't it?

ADU: Yes, yes, but I'm not really worried about it.

HEMMER: You're OK with it?

ADU: I'm OK with it.

HEMMER: Some people describe you with remarkable speed, vision and ball handling skills. You practiced with some of the pro players, right, down in D.C. How did you stack up with them?

ADU: I was doing pretty well. I scored a game-winning goal a couple of times.

HEMMER: Is that right? What did you learn?

ADU: I learned that you got to come out and play every single time. You can't take plays off. You can't be scared either. Just go out and play and have fun.

HEMMER: You're smart, too. Accelerated program in school, going to graduate early. That's certainly good news.

Got a question for you. We were talking about this yesterday. Who's your favorite player of all time?

ADU: Pele.

HEMMER: Yes?

ADU: Yes.

HEMMER: You've seen him on videotape?

ADU: Yes.

HEMMER: What do you like about him?

ADU: Everything. His speed, his goal-scoring ability, his skill, everything about -- I mean, he's the greatest player, I'm sure if you ask anybody else, they'll say Pele is the greatest player.

HEMMER: Athletically, do you see similarities? Because there are some 40 have made the comparison already?

ADU: I guess, I don't know, maybe the speed and I guess the way we look, maybe.

HEMMER: You didn't bring a ball today did you?

ADU: No, I didn't.

HEMMER: But you were doing tricks on "Letterman." I was hoping to repeat that today.

ADU: I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

HEMMER: Listen, thanks for stopping by. Great to see you. Met your mom out in the hallway. Tell her not to be so shy next time. We wanted her to come out and sit right next to you, and she denied our invitation.

ADU: She hates doing interviews.

HEMMER: Well, listen, you're a good guy. And good luck to you, OK. Freddy Adu, 14 years young. Nice to see you.

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