Andy Najar is the next big thing in US Major League Soccer. The young Honduran is only 17-years-old, but he is one of the most exciting players in the MLS.

Najar came to the United States when he was 13 and instantly set about playing football in his spare time at his high school in Virginia.  In the kind of 'rags to riches' tale typical of America, an assistant football coach at Edison High School noticed Najar playing pick-up games in front of the school and recognized his talent. "One of the best kids I've ever had fell into my lap," recalls Edison head coach Scott Racek. "He would still be playing out front if it weren't for my assistant." In 2008 he joined DC United 's youth academy, having scored 22 goals in his final season at Edison.

Najar excelled in two seasons at the D.C United academy.  He showed his versatility and all round footballing ability, playing for a while as a right-back before quickly establishing himself as an attacker. Having been named in the national Development Academy Starting XI in 2009, he signed his first professional contract in March 2010.  Najar made an inauspicious first team debut for DC United in a 4-0 defeat to Kansas City Wizards and was substituted at half-time. However, Najar's quality is unquestioned and he has been granted more and more playing time.

Najar's most obvious quality is his outstanding technique.  He can do almost anything with the ball and makes dribbling past four or five players look easy. He is employed mainly as a right winger, but Najar can play in almost every position in attack as he is equally comfortable with the ball at either foot.

"He's a kid who every time he's on the field is going to be a little warrior. It's a rare thing and I'm glad we have him" says DC United 's assistant coach Ben Olsen. His first goal in MLS football came in a 3-2 victory over Chivas. In the 26th minute Najar latched on to a long ball from Quaranta and powered a strong header into the net.  At 5ft 7in, Najar is not renowned for his aerial presence, but the goal emphasizes the quality of his all-round game. He has twice been named as man of the match against FC Dallas and Chivas. Last month, Najar faced some of Europe's top players when he played for DC United in a friendly against AC Milan.Â

Najar has only been on the scene for a matter of months, but he has instantly been compared to a DC United wonder kid from the recent past - Freddy Adu .  Adu was thrust into the glaring spotlight from a very young age and was subject to enormous expectation.  Now plying his trade in Greece with Aris Saloniki, Adu's career has almost inevitably been less spectacular than expected.  In contrast, Najar had not even played organized football until the age of 12 and was an almost total unknown coming into the MLS.  In addition, Najar has drawn admiration so early on in his career in part due to his exceptional work rate, something that Adu has never been noted for. Â

He has played only nine professional games, but his DC United team-mates believe that Najar has what it takes to be a genuinely top class player.

DC United goalkeeper Troy Perkins commented, "I don't know where he came from. He's only 17 and he plays like he's 22, 23 years old. He's got grit, he's got the toughness and he's quick and creative and he's going to be a fantastic player."

If he continues to progress at this rate, Najar could become the all new and improved Freddy Adu .