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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Pennenan Poised for New Chapter in American Soccer

June 18, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The two-time Midfielder of the Year in Finland's topflight is fully focused on making a positive first impression during this debut campaign in Sacramento

Whether it's been a well-deserved individual accolade or team trophy acquired after a long season, Republic FC midfielder Pete Pennanen has the trophies to prove he's a winner.

Signed during the 2020 offseason, Pete comes to Sacramento following a decorated 16-year career that included league titles, individual honors and a wealth of knowledge in the beautiful game.

He's been the two-time Midfielder of the Year in 2018 and 2019 in the Veikkausliiga - Finland's topflight of domestic soccer - as well as earning a spot on the Veikkausliiga August Star team in 2020.

He's featured for Finland's youth and senior national teams and in 2019 during his time with Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) - Pete's hometown club - he led the club in minutes en route to their Veikkausliiga title-winning run.

After all he's accomplished abroad and all the silverware - whether it be a trophy hoisted with his teammates or an individual accolade to honor his efforts - he's still hungry for more.

"I hope that in the near future I'm able to get some trophies," Pete said about his desire to hoist silverware during his time in Sacramento.

Even though he was an accomplished pro in his native country, he was ready to try something new.

"I had a feeling that I wanted to have some new experiences in my career, I had a hunger to achieve more in other countries as well," Pennanen explained. "I've always been looking for challenges which will make me a better player and a better person."

Of all the places he could have gone and clubs to play for, he chose the Indomitable City, and it's been a journey he's enjoyed every step of the way thus far.

"When the chance came that it would be possible to come here, I was talking with all the guys that I knew who had been in the USA, had talks with Todd [Dunivant] and Mark [Briggs] and they had a really good message about the club," Pete explained. "They talked about what the club was wanting to do over the next few years and they are hungry to be successful, so basically everything I heard was exactly what I was looking for."

In Sacramento, Pennanen has become a leader on the pitch and in the locker room.

Through Republic FC's first seven games of the USL Championship regular season, Pete's found his name in the starting eleven six times and appeared in all seven fixtures. He's become a reliable staple in the matchday squad, and he knows how much work he'll need to put in to have a positive debut campaign with the boys in Old Glory Red.

He also knows the importance of wearing the captain's armband. And having been handed that honor, he intends on leading the 2021 Republic FC squad the only way he knows how.

"The most important thing you can do as a captain, you always have to show to the other guys that you are doing all the things that can be done, the best way possible," Pennenan said. "I know that when I was younger, I was always looking up to the captain and how they're doing their daily business and whatever they are doing, they set the bar really high and other guys see that and if that guy is doing that, then I have to also as well."

"So that's the biggest thing for me, I wouldn't say I'm the loudest guy in the locker room but when there is something that is needed to be said, I will say something about it," he added. "I try to set the bar really high in training and it's a massive honor to be the captain of this club."

Pete's lead by example mentality fits in well with what the Indomitable Club's vision is for 2021. Republic FC doesn't want to talk about having a successful season, Mark Briggs' men want to go out and show it.

Actions speak far louder than words and that's the way Pete Pennenan carries himself, whether it's gameday or just another training session.

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