Forward Josh Penn Rejoins Indy Eleven Roster
August 25, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Indy Eleven News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - Indy Eleven made a bit of club history with today's re-signing of former USL Academy player and Indiana University standout Josh Penn to his first professional contract. Pending league and federation approval, Penn will be available for selection as early as tomorrow evening's Louisville-Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest rivalry showdown against Louisville City FC at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville (8:00 p.m. kickoff, live on MyINDY-TV 23, ESPN+ and Exitos Radio 94.3 FM/exitos943.com).
After blazing a trail as Indy Eleven's first USL Academy contract signing during the 2019 preseason, the now 19-year-old Penn has become the first Academy product to sign with Indiana's Team as a professional.
"We said we'd be open to welcoming Josh back when he departed for IU last summer, and we are thrilled he is taking us up on the offer," said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. "We obviously know what he brings to the squad - pace on and off the ball, a willingness to take on defenders, and the ability to finish around the penalty area in various ways. He's an exciting young player that will certainly provide a boost of energy to the squad for the stretch drive of our 2020 season."
At the time of his USL Academy Contract signing on February 21, 2019, Penn was the youngest player ever signed by the Eleven at the age of 18 years, three months and 27 days - a record since surpassed by most of the club's eight Academy Contract signings over the last 18 months.
During his first stint with Indy Eleven last season, the native of Naperville, Ill., started two of his five appearances and took a pair of shots in 157 minutes of USL Championship regular season action. Penn impressed during his first career start, nearly notching a goal and assist in the club's 2019 season opener at Saint Louis FC on March 9.
"I'm excited to be back in a familiar setting that, while different, will provide an even better chance for me to be a part of the team and even more focused on my play this time around," said Penn. "I planned on playing at IU this fall and hopefully going professional from there, but with the college season being suspended it felt like now was the right time to make the move. I'm really glad it happened this way because Indy Eleven provides a great opportunity for me, so it was a no-brainer and a way to make some good out of a tough situation."
Penn left the Eleven camp last summer and made an immediate impact with perennial NCAA powerhouse Indiana University, helping a young Hoosiers squad to a 15W-3L-4D record and the Big Ten Conference's regular season and postseason tournament titles. Penn's six goals and 14 points (6G, 2A) were both the second-most for a balanced Hoosiers attack, which he also paced with 42 shots and three game-winning goals across his 22 appearances (21 starts). Penn's freshman season efforts earned him selections to the All-Big Ten Second Team and the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
Prior to joining the Eleven, Penn totaled 57 goals and 40 assists in 63 matches for Chicago Sockers FC in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play from 2016-19, twice earning him Central Conference Best XI honors. The former four-star recruit has also performed with the U.S. U-19 Men's National Team, and in his last appearance with the squad netted the final goal in a 4-1 win over Jamaica to finish top of the 2018 U.S. Soccer U-20 Men's Invitational standings. Penn also embarked on a short training stint overseas with Danish Superliga side Brøndby during his time with Indy Eleven in April 2019.
To follow up tomorrow's contest in Kentucky, Indy Eleven and Louisville City FC will continue their rivalry series at Lucas Oil Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 5, the first of five straight home games for Indiana's Team spanning the month of September. Tickets for the 7:00 p.m. LIPAFC kickoff are available at indyeleven.com/tickets, and fans can also follow the action on WISH-TV, ESPN+ and Exitos Radio 94.3 FM/exitos943.com.
2020 Indy Eleven Roster
Goalkeeper: Jordan Farr, Evan Newton, *Alex Svetanoff
Defender: Conner Antley, Ayoze, Paddy Barrett, Felicien Dumas, Neveal Hackshaw, Mitch Osmond, Karl Ouimette, *Matthew Senanou
Midfielder: Drew Conner, Tyler Gibson, Cameron Lindley, *Patrick McDonald, Kenney Walker, Matt Watson
Forward: Andrew Carleton, Carl Haworth, Ilija Ilic, Nick Moon, Josh Penn, Tyler Pasher, Jeremy Rafanello, *Matthew Roou
* USL Academy contract player
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