DC United have traded Freddy Adu to Real Salt Lake. No, seriously.

Shocking at first, but then the more you think about it, the more it makes sense.

Not the big move to manchester united that Freddy was hoping for, but Adu is still hoping to leave MLS when he turns 18 in June 2007, and DC United will still get a slice of that big transfer pie. In the meantime, RSL get the most talked about player in MLS, and Adu is reunited with John Ellinger who coached him at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Most telling is this quote from DC United coach Petr Nowak:

"It is never easy to part with players, especially one like Freddy," he said. "Freddy desired to play a different role than the one we offered here at D.C., so we hope this move can aid that wish. I believe Freddy greatly improved his play and knowledge of the game during his three years in D.C. and hope this move to Salt Lake further helps him as a player. We all wish him nothing but the best."

Basically, Adu wants to play as a central attacking mid or forward, Nowak wants him to play right midfield. At RSL he'll be the main man and Ellinger will probably build the team around him rather than tolerate his presence as Nowak has for the last few years.