14-year-old becomes pro soccer player

NEW YORK, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The Major League Soccer has signed a six-year contract with a 14-year-old boy, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday.

Soccer phenom Freddy Adu, who lives with his mother outside Washington and plays for D.C. United, signed a six-year deal with the league for an undisclosed amount.

It's believed, though, that he will receive several hundred thousand dollars per season.

Freddy makes his debut next year, before he turns 15 in June.

"We wanted to allow Freddy to pursue his dreams and develop his God-given talents," said his other, Emelia Adu. "As he makes this next step at the age of 14, it was best for Freddy to stay in America and sign with MLS."

Yesterday's developments were nothing new for Adu. Before his last birthday, he had signed a $1 million deal with Nike. He turned down a six-figure offer to play for a top Italian club when he was 11 years old.

According to Elias Sports Bureau records, baseball is the only big-league sport to have a younger player. Fred Chapman made his debut for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association in 1887, four months before he turned 15. Chapman played in only one game.