AMSTERDAM — Aris FC are attempting to cancel the remainder of Freddy Adu's loan contract with the Hellenic Football Federation, MLSsoccer.com has learned.
The U.S. international has yet to appear for the club this season, having been deemed surplus to requirements by manager Héctor Cúper, and is currently slated to return for the final year of his Benfica deal next summer.
"We want to cancel the rest of his contract with the Greek federation," Aris press officer Christanthos Tsaltidis told MLSsoccer.com. "We are in the courts with Freddy."
Meanwhile, the 21-year old attacker has been staying in shape by training with Randers FC in Denmark for the last two weeks and is set to play in a reserve friendly on Monday night. However, technical director Jakob Nielsen refused to comment on any possibility of signing Adu.
"He's not here on trial," Nielsen told MLSsoccer.com. "He's just here to keep his form and fitness level. He's here because of our chief scout's relation with his agent."
"This is not a subject for us," Nielsen said of Adu's Aris contract tangle.
On Monday night, Adu went all 90 minutes in a 4-0 Randers reserves loss to Viborg. He struck the woodwork twice and drew a few favorable comments from second team manager Michael Winther.
"He did it just fine," the coach told Danish outlet Bold. "One could easily see that he is technically very gifted. After 60-70 minutes, he ran a little low on energy, but all in all, it was an acceptable effort from him."
Also Monday, Benfica told Danish outlet Sporten that Adu could go out on another loan or even leave on a free transfer this winter, but he would not comment on any concrete Randers interest or the Aris situation.
The former D.C. United and Real Salt Lake man has also been sized up by Danish top flight side Odense BK and Swiss side FC Sion since being told he is not needed at Aris.
Last season, Adu scored twice in 11 domestic league and cup games, and then featured prominently in the European places playoff.
Purchased from MLS by Benfica in 2007, Adu bagged five goals in 20 appearances during the first season of a five-year pact.
When the club fired manager José Antonio Camacho, replacement Quique Flores sent the American out on loan to Monaco. Including a spell with Portuguese mites Belenenses, Aris is Adu's third loan stop.
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