Arsenal have joined a world wide hunt for talented American forward Charles Renken, dubbed ‘The New Freddy Adu’ after being impressed with the youngster following a trial period.
Renken, 14, is considered at the biggest prospect in the USA at the moment with many believing he will bypass the MLS and head straight to Europe in the next 18 months. He has already had trials with the Gunners along with Reading and 1860 Munich, with all three club’s thoroughly delighted with his progress.
Charles was formally called Bimbe and lived outside Kalingalinga in Zambia, but was adopted by an American family when he was 9-years-old. His child hood was very difficult – his early days in football began with him stitching footballs to make a living.
However, he has since thrived playing for a football team called Scott Gallagher, and has scored goals in Nike trials leading to a scholarship to the Bradenton soccer school. Renken is an avid Arsenal fan who buys DVD’s of the Gunners games and makes it a huge part of his day studying how Wenger’s men play.
The whole of America is going crazy over his talents which sees him average a goal a game in every fixture he plays, something his Under 9 side had the pleasure of. They had never won a competitive game until Charles joined them, with the youngster in their ranks they never lost again.
With his mix of raw power, athleticism, vision, pace and terrific technical abilities, he fits the bill of a perfect Arsenal player. At just 14 he is already in the US Under 17 side and is tipped to be a full international before his 17th birthday.
After coming from very poor surroundings Renken is very appreciative of the life he has now, fully in the knowledge that 70% of the people from his village are under the poverty line. He still keeps in contact with his mother via a mobile telephone, and is known to get very emotional when speaking about his past up bringing.
The scramble for his signature is set to be concluded in the next 12 months, Liam Brady has offered him another trial anytime he is next in England, with the drive and determination to achieve set to see the electric front-man become a future star.
Article By – J.Sanderson – With Thanks To Sam
“New Freddy Adu”, if one looks deeper into the situation, doesn’t sound like what someone would like to be called.
Freddy Adu had similar levels of hype surrounding him at around age 15. But look at the situation he is in now. Were he to arrive at Arsenal, one would hope that whatever promise Renken shows can be fulfilled to the maximum.
Probably correct mate, but i would say this guy is going to be a much better player than Adu. He seems down to earth whereas Freddy acts like a superstar.
lol freddy adu. the first american superstar, tearing up the world stage on benfica’s bench with reyes.
He is probably 26
Renken, 14, is considered at the biggest prospect in the USA at the moment with many believing he will bypass the MLS and head straight to Europe in the next 18 months.
—
I thought players from other continents to Europe can’t move until 18 like Pato, Pedro and Vela etc.?
i say any1 with such background, can swing either way. He could use his poverty driven background (family in Zambia) to drive him to success (motivation) or he could also sign a professional contract to a big club and could let the Hype get to his head, like certain current players, and play for the money (i.e, Adebayor).
Like Jingen said above, if we take Freddy Adu for example, he was so hyped and Nike gave him th biggest Ego that the poor boy didn’t blossom to his full potential, could it be the same for this kid.
Hopefully he would come to use and with the father figures at Arsenal would keep him grounded.
I think that this new American kid would see what has happened to Adu and would probably be more willing to join us who would let him develop. We are the clever choice but we will see if he puts the glamour, fame and fortune before his desire to be the best player he can be.
Mike.from.around.da.way said this on September 16, 2008 at 10:36 am
Could you blame him if he played for the money? Hell if I came from that background and someone would later offer my £80,000 a week (that’s what, roughly £4m a year), not only think of how great it would be but how you could donate a tiny portion of your income to help the friends and family that will still be sewing the footballs he kicks.
Clacko the Gooner said this on September 16, 2008 at 10:38 am
I agree, and especially if he does come to us, he seems to know enough about how we develop young, promosing players that it shouldn’t be a problem. There is no better place in the world for youngsters, no matter their background, than Arsenal. (We just need to make the first team feel like that too ;) )
@ Samuel
I get what you mean, but certain ppl have to prove their worth and money isn’t always the way forward. If i was a football player, i would rather have the trophy and fame over the money. The HIGH pay wage, come as a bonus. Players these days are not setting good examples for the youngsters coming through with the way the expose money as the most important thing in football and i do hope this kid doesn’t pick up on the bad trail.
Yes i do agree with you, that he or another other person who comes from a poverty background would like to earn alot to support his family, but as much as football is a paying career, you also have to work your way to the top an the money will roll in.
I did use Adebayor in my earlier post because we all know he didnt deserve his pay rise after one good season. What is next, is Theo going to demand a 50% pay rise if he has a great season this year?
Danny Karbassiyoon…
This kid is great. I’m an American and have watched all his National Team developmental and he always stands out. He’s big for 14, yet he’s one of the best technical players we’ve ever seen. As he is an Arsenal fan, the biggest problem in signing him won’t be another Euro club, but rather the MLS. I jusr hope he doesn’t go to MLS though, cause it’s no place to develop technical ability. I know Jozy Altidore played in MLS first, but if he went to Villarreal right away, not onlt would he be more suited to the European games, but he might also be starting. Can’t wait to see this kid.
for me he looks very good…i hope we will sign him
Adebayor clearly deserved a pay rise from 35,000 and are the rumours true that arsenal have called off signing mineiro
What is next, is Theo going to demand a 50% pay rise if he has a great season this year?
—
Considering that will mean he’s only on £22,500 a week, I don’t think it’ll be too absurd.
But I get what you mean! I really do! That why on yesterdays blog I was calling for the club to teach the players how to be their own agents. And if you look at the mentality of those coming through the ranks at the club, it seems to be “play great, get into the team, enjoy yourself, (you are gonna be rich no matter)”. But you can understand why people from extreme poverty would have more focus on earning big dough than those who grew up in london, were given everything by our academy etc.
Of course, we have no idea what this kid is like in his mentality. He’s only 14! No-one knows what his future is going to be like. (Well, I guess God or Allah might.)
To be honest, I can’t really remember my original point. So i’ll end with a COYG instead. :)
Well, Walcott is due for a pay rise this Summer, because we’ll lose him for free in 2010 if we don’t. Anyways, with Theo…you know we can easily make it up with shirt sales and etc. as he’s our most marketable player.
Samuel – Brazilian players cannot move to Europe before they are 18, but Vela was to do with Work Permits.
Pff “the next freddie Adu”. Thats so lousy on him. I would hate to be given that curse. Have any of you ever seen Adu play? I have and i defo wasnt impressed.
But anyway, if he is as good as people say then why not give him a chance. Who knows, he might be world class, especially coming from a US soccer team.
Freddy Adu has probably not lived up to all of the hype, but a lot of that is due to the unrealistic expectations. He’s still only 19 years old – younger than Theo – and in my opinion far too young to base any judgements. In many ways his development has been similar to Theo’s – revealed to be a future star at a very young age which resulted in unfair pressure being heaped on his shoulders. Adu is now playing for Monaco and although I haven’t seen any of their matches but the accounts I’ve heard have been positive, as were his performances for Benfica last year.
Renken, I hope, will be another story entirely. It was at the same age that Freddy broke onto the scene and was signed by MLS. Although the standard of the league is improving (slowly) it is not a place for a young, potentially world class player to develop their talents. If we, or any European club with a strong academy, can get their hands on Renken now and, in Wenger’s words, mold him into an Arsenal player the sky is the limit. And in case you haven’t noticed, I would personally love to see an American play for Arsenal.
I think “next Freddy Adu” refers to their similar background, size, and playing position. That is, Renken and Adu have a similar build, they both emigrated to the US from Africa, and they’re both attackers.
Also, I don’t understand this notion that Adu hasn’t lived up to his hype. He’s 19 years old and starts for Monaco. That isn’t exactly a failure, you know?
“…which sees him average a goal a game in every fixture he plays” what level is this at? What club is he at now?
Is there a reserve preview coming Mr SANDERSON
Sounds cool. I live in the US but have never head of him, granted I don’t pay much attention at all to domestic ‘soccer’. I would love to see an American playing for Arsenal though. Just like Karbassiyoon did a few years back before the injuries. Keep up the great work J, I love this site
There certainly is Frank
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/arsenal-v-portsmouth-reserves-match-preview-2/
Why don’t we sign him..then send him to Colorado Rapids for a few years?
This post was practically plagiarized from the soccernet article, lol
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=571292&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901
Renken is not similar to Adu at all… Adu is more of a Deco-type while Renken is a Pirlo…
and Adu is not a bust, he is only 19, ffs
I personaly think being the new Freddie Adu is an insult to the kid becuse he is the most overrated young player i have ever seen IMO
When they say he’s the new Adu does that mean they don’t know how old he really is?
Hey I am usually all about the insights on this blog but I have to agree with Heem, you shouldnt be giving a special thanks to Sam, you should be giving it to Justin Rodriguez who wrote the original article….
Well from the sounds of it this guy is potentially world class while Adu was more potentially the best player in the MLS. Afobe scored 40 goals in 33 appearances last season right? If they play at the same level (U-16’s, although I doubt Renken plays at that level otherwise he wouldn’t have so much hype), then Afobe’s total would be much more impressive considering the stronger teams in England.
Freddy Adu has gone backwards so much he looks like he’s moonwalking when he plays!
I-Thank-You
Pingback: The Hyperbole Award Nominee of the Century « Fighting Talker
It seems as though we are about to make him an offer according to sources in the USA.
well with all the age b.s, i personaly know charles renken he is like a cousin to me, and this is this kid real age. charles and i play for the national team in boston, texas, and new jersey. i saw him play and i play by him, he is a very good player and today i do wish i was stilling playing with him, i was drope because i wasnt a american citizen which is understandable, well charles if you ever read this keep your head in the game, dont listen to people and just play your game, once i get my citizenship i will see you again on the national team. for those who dont know me im patrick donyen.