Fanendo Adi, Nigeria’s youngster making waves in American Soccer League

Adi is an instant hit in the highly entertaining American Soccer League which boasts of veterans like Thierry Henry, Clint Dempsey, Martins Obafemi, Tim Cahill, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley, David Villa, Kaka and so many other players who are in the USA to round up their professional careers.Born October 10, 1990, Fanen now […]

Adi is an instant hit in the highly entertaining American Soccer League which boasts of veterans like Thierry Henry, Clint Dempsey, Martins Obafemi, Tim Cahill, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley, David Villa, Kaka and so many other players who are in the USA to round up their professional careers.
Born October 10, 1990, Fanen now Fanendo who hails from Benue made a brief appearance in the camp of the Golden Eaglets team that represented Nigeria at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup which Nigeria hosted.
He began his professional career with Slovakian second-division side AS Trenčín where he played from 2009-11, registering 18 league goals in 41 matches. In two separate stints with the club (2009-11; 2012-13), Adi recorded 27 goals in 60 league matches.
In between he attended trails twice at former UEFA Champions League winners and leading Dutch side, Ajax Amsterdam before he finally joined Danish giants FC Copenhagen where he burst into limelight. At FC Copenhagen, Adi took part in the UEFA Champions League when he played against some of the best players in the world.
Fanendo appeared in nine league matches (6 starts) for FC Copenhagen during the 2013-14 Danish Super Ligaen season, scoring three goals, including a tally in his debut for the club in a 1-1 draw against FC Vestsjælland on Aug. 25, 2013.
The 6-foot-4 forward also featured in three group-stage matches during the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League tournament, earning a start in a 1-1 draw against Italian club Juventus and making substitute appearances against Real Madrid and Turkish club Galatasaray.
On May 13, 2014, Adi went on loan with the option to buy to Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. He made his debut coming on as a substitute against Columbus Crew and got the game tying assist. Adi scored his first and second goals, in the second half for the Portland Timbers on May 28, 2014, against Chivas USA in his first start for the club. On June 7 he received his second start and scored two goals in the first half against Real Salt Lake.
Fanendo became the first Timbers MLS player to record two braces in a single season. He has registered at least one point in three consecutive matches and he has tallied four goals in the last three games.
The win marked Portland’s third consecutive road victory and the team’s first win at Rio Tinto Stadium in four MLS seasons. The Timbers have captured at least one point in seven of their last eight games and rank tied for second in the league with 26 goals scored on the season
Fanendo Ado’s sterling performance so far has not gone unnoticed as he was instantly rewarded with Major League Soccer Player of the Week Award by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 14 of the 2014 MLS season.
It is therefore not surprising Adi was thereafter signed permanently by Portland Timbers on June 23, 2014 and becomes the club’s fourth ever Designated Player.
Portland Timbers General manager, Gavin Wilkinson had this to say about the young player who has warmed his way into the hearts of American soccer fans, “Taking a player on loan prior to purchasing his rights gives you a first-hand look at the player in every regard and reduces the risk.
“With Adi performing well and fitting into the club culture and team dynamics, the decision to take up the purchase option was an easy one. He is young and has already shown the ability to be a dominant forward in this league.
“Obviously, Adi has made an immediate impact with our club and we are extremely pleased to have him on board now long-term,” said Timbers head coach Caleb Porter. “He has proven to be an ideal fit in our system and possesses qualities that will make him a very effective striker in this league. We look forward to his contributions for years to come.”
On his growing popularity in the MLS, Fanendo said that has been possible due to the overwhelming reception at Portland Timbers and that made him to quickly settle down to life in America.
“I am feeling so much at home here in America. Although I spent most of my playing career in Ukraine, I have adjusted to life here because of the warm reception I received since coming.
“I have enjoyed the support of the management and my team mates and the goals are coming. Since I am feeling at home here, I want to focus on my career and see what I will be able to achieve with Timbers.
Like every other Nigerian player, Fanendo has his eyes on the Super Eagles. “Well I cannot deny that there are few countries that wouldn’t mind having me in their squads but nothing will give me more satisfaction than playing for Nigeria.
“I do not think it will be proper for me to beg to play for my country. I am doing well by every standard and I have some records to speak for me. If I am not making a mistake, I am the only uncapped player that featured in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. If Nigeria needs me, I would gladly make myself available,” he told SHOT!.
One of Fanendo’s guardians and former BCC Lions star, Igba Jighjah also believes the tall player with amazing aerial prowess can help solve Nigeria’s goal scoring problem. “If Fanendo is willing to play for Nigeria, he should be given a chance. He can re-enact the days of legendary Rashidi Yekini. He has a knack for goal scoring.
“He has acquired the requisite experience to play for the Super Eagles. At 23, he is mature enough to play for the national team. The future of the Super Eagles lies with youngsters like Kenneth Omeruo, Ramon Azeez, Ogenyi Onazi, Micheal Babatunde, Fanendo Adi, Bright Dike and Kelechi Iheanacho,” he said.