CHICAGO (March 8, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has signed Naperville, Ill., native Josh Penn to and MLS NEXT Pro professional contract, pending league and U.S. Soccer Federation approval. His contract with Chicago Fire FC II will run through the 2022 season, with a club option for 2023.
“It is exciting to have a player with Josh’s experience as one of our first signings,” said Chicago Fire FC Technical Director Sebastian Pelzer. “Josh is a talented winger and we are pleased that he has agreed to continue his development with his hometown Club.”
Penn, 21, played for Indy Eleven on a USL academy contract before heading to Indiana University for the 2019 season. Following the cancellation of the 2020 college season, Penn entered the MLS SuperDraft and was selected 10th overall by Inter Miami CF in 2021. He appeared in two matches for Inter Miami CF before going on loan to Fort Lauderdale CF of USL League 1 and Charleston Battery of the USL Championship. Penn attended preseason training camp with the Chicago Fire first team.
“We are happy to have Josh back at the Club and hope to provide him an environment to develop into a contributor for the first team,” said Chicago Fire FC II head coach Ludovic Taillandier. “Josh is a local player who was in our Academy before my time here and who played with Chicago Sockers before playing at Indiana University and in the USL.”
Penn also earned two caps for the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team at the International Friendlies in September 2018. Additionally, he played one match while on trial with the Brondby IF reserve squad in Norway in 2019.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC sign forward Josh Penn to MLS NEXT Pro professional contract for 2022 season, with a club option for 2023.
Name: Josh Penn
Position: Forward
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 159 lbs.
Date of Birth: November 25, 2000
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
Birthplace: Naperville, Ill.
Citizenship: United States of America
Last Club: Inter Miami CF
