Chester, PA – The Philadelphia Union have acquired Brazilian international Jose Kleberson on loan from Esporte Clube Bahia, the club announced on Monday.
Additionally, Philadelphia reached a contract termination agreement on Monday with mercurial forward Freddy Adu, allowing the 23-year-old to sign with Bahia.
"We're excited to have a player with his kind of experience join an already talented roster," manager John Hackworth said. "Kleberson has had success at the world's highest level of competition -- both on a club and international level -- and we hope he can add another dimension to our team."
Kleberson, 33, featured on Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning roster and has also seen time on Brazil squads that claimed the 2004 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup.
As a 23-year-old, Kleberson gained global recognition as he helped lead Brazil to a record fifth FIFA World Cup title, starting in the 2002 World Cup Final against Germany and assisting in the 79th minute on Ronaldo's second goal to help his country clinch a 2-0 victory. His performance that summer led to Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson signing the Brazilian on a permanent transfer to the English giants.
Philadelphia officially parts ways with Adu after several weeks of speculation as to where the former child prodigy would land after Hackworth announced in preseason that Adu was not part of the Union's plans this season.
"We would like to thank Freddy Adu for his service to the Union over the past two years and wish him the best of luck as he continues his career in Brazil," said Hackworth.
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