D.C.'s Fred Headed To Australia

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MLS: Fred, D.C. United (ISI)

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D.C. United’s Brazilian superstar Fred has signed on as a “guest player” with Wellington Phoenix of the Australian A-League. The short-term loan deal will only see Fred play six matches for the Phoenix but should allow the 29-year-old to keep his fitness through the MLS off-season.

The Phoenix currently stands sixth in the A-League table and Fred will be eligible to play in Wellington’s match a week from Sunday against Newcastle Jets. The playmaking midfielder should bolster a squad that has struggled to find the net in the first half of the season. In 11 matches the Phoenix has only scored 10 times while allowing 16 goals in route to a 3-3-5 overall record.

Fred was involved with six goals for D.C. in 23 league matches during a disappointing 2008 season but had a successful stint in the A-League in 2006 with Melbourne including a four-assist grand final. Like many members of D.C.’s 2008 roster Fred dealt with injuries that limited his action. The Brazilian did however prove to be a big part of United’s lone bright spot of the season when he scored the decisive goal D.C.’s 2-1 victory over the Charleston Battery in the U.S. Open Cup final.

The six games that Fred has signed on to play will include matches against three of the top four teams in the league and will conclude with a match against the Queensland Roar on December 28^th.

--Allen Ramsey, Goal.com