Ghana born Freddie Adu admits the hype of his early professional career may have worked against his progress as he battles to impress in Europe.

The US international was hailed as the great American soccer at 15 but has struggled to get games at Benfica in Portugal and now Monaco in France. Still only 19, Adu is aware he continuously has to live with a heavy burden of expectation and suggest the buzz of his early years has not helped.

"Maybe it didn't help, but that's what happened and I have to get on with it," he told ESPN.

"When you are a pro you have to learn to handle it. I prefer to look at the positives. When I tell myself that I have already been a pro for five years, I smile saying "already, holy cow!" I have to put to use all that I have learned since the beginning."

Adu has played just 144 minutes of football this season for Monaco but is holding out hope for a move to one of Europe's big guns after ruling out a return to the MLS.

"It's in Europe that I want to continue my career and I will do anything to succeed. I will make it. Everything depends on me. I have received the talent, I have to maximize it.

"My dream is to play for one of the top European clubs, the top five. Tottenham are also one of my dreams, since I supported them as a boy. My objective is the Premier League which is for me the best league in the world."