Penn: “Getting to come in and help build something really excites me”

By Inter Miami CF

February 12^th, 2021

Inter Miami recently announced the signing of 2021 MLS SuperDraft first round pick Josh Penn, handing him his first MLS contract. The winger, 20, becomes the latest addition to the First Team’s roster following the signings of Academy products Edison Azcona and Ian Fray, and goalkeeper Dylan Castanheira last month.

“Getting selected by Inter Miami specifically was awesome because it's a new club and being able to be part of that build up is super important,” said Penn upon becoming an Inter Miami player. “Seeing that the club has big goals and being able to be a part of that from the get go is something really exciting and not something that comes along everyday. Getting to come in and help build something really excites me.”

Penn has enjoyed a successful career to date and already has experience at the professional level. The Naperville, Ill., native starred in attack at Indiana University in his only campaign with the team and made history with USL Championship side Indy Eleven by becoming the first player to sign professionally for the club after having competed for its academy and the youngest player to ever sign for the club at that time (18 years, three months and 27 days). On the international stage, he has featured for the U.S. U-19 and U-20 men’s national teams.

Penn: “Getting to come in and help build something really excites me”

“My time with Indy Eleven was really important for me as a professional because I was able to go in there as a young teenager when I was in high school and get some experience and games there. Besides the play, just developing as a man and learning the ins and outs of the professional world was important. Being able to do that before getting picked by Inter Miami was really important so now I can come and kind of already have an idea of what the professional lifestyle is like and the importance of that,” he explained.

The young attacker is itching to hit the ground running in South Florida and work hard to help Inter Miami in his first season with the team.

“As soon as I get to South Florida I’m going to do whatever I can to help the team. I’m still young, but I think I can bring a lot to the team,” he claimed.

“I’m quick on the ball, I like taking guys on, but in the same way I also like coming inside and combining with my teammates. I have a lot of versatility in my game,” added Penn. “Overall, I’m a hard worker and I think that’s important at a young age.”

Lastly, Penn had a message for the Club’s loyal fanbase ahead of Inter Miami’s second season in the league.

“The fans can expect that we are going to put everything forward for this city because I know that this club and the players are hungry. I’ve already gotten a lot of love on social media so I know that they’re going to be a strong fanbase and it's going to be exciting to see them.”

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