Andy Williams ... soon to be Freddy Adu's teammate at Real Salt Lake.

salt lake city, utah, cmc

The Ghana-born American teenaged soccer star Freddy Adu is moving from DC United to join a trio of Caribbean stars at Real Salt Lake (RSL) in U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS).

The 17-year-old Adu will link up - as an attacking midfielder - with RSL, who have Kittitian Atiba Harris and Jamaica-born Jeff Cunningham and Andy Williams on their roster.

Adu was traded Monday from DC United, ending a rocky Washington relationship for the high-profile teenager who clashed with his coach and was often frustrated by his role.

RSL officials reacted with delight at the signing. "This is an exciting day for our club," said RSL CEO Dean Howes

"Freddy is one of the most recognised names in American soccer; adding him to our roster allows us to improve our operation on several levels. He instantly makes us a better team on the field and will raise our level of awareness off the field as well," Howes added.

The move also reunites the young star with Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger, Adu's former coach on the U.S. Under-17 national team.

"I am thrilled with what we have been able to accomplish today," said Ellinger.

"Freddy is an exceptional talent. Players like him don't come along very often," Ellinger added. At the age of 14, Adu became the youngest professional athlete in modern American team sports history when he signed a professional contract with Major League Soccer.

He is regarded as one of the most exciting young players in the world. Adu left Ghana with his family in 1997 and is now a resident of Potomac, Maryland. He became a U.S. citizen in 2003.