Inter Miami just made its fifth Homegrown signing out of its Academy, with midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi penning a three-year deal with options for two additional seasons. The young Key Biscayne, Florida native of Argentine descent is the latest to achieve a dream of representing his hometown Club, and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m just happy and excited to start next year in January in preseason with the First Team, to start preparing and learning from the most experienced players and Phil [Neville]. I just want to be the best player I can be out there and help the team,” said Cremaschi.
“Signing for my hometown team, playing at home in front of my family and friends is really exciting. I’m just excited for this opportunity and looking to get the best out of it.”
While exciting for Cremaschi, the move was also exciting for the Club. Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson praised the young midfielder as an example of what the Club hopes to see come out of its youth ranks.
“We’re really happy to add Benja to the First Team. He developed through Weston FC and Key Biscayne Soccer Club, two of our Academy Partner Clubs. He came into our Academy and the improvement he’s had since day one has come so fast, playing for Javi Morales and the U-17s, Darren Powell and Inter Miami CF II, taking part in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game. He is the type of player we’d love to continue to see come through our Academy, continue on to Inter Miami CF II, and into our First Team,” said Henderson.
Cremaschi also believes he couldn’t have reached this point without the help of the Club, citing its coaches, players, and facilities as factors in his success.
“Being here at this Club, the coaching staff, players, and facilities make everything easier. Everything is great and really organized, which helps us young players try to become the best we can possibly be,” said Cremaschi.
With the help of his coaches and teammates, the young midfielder has found early success with the Academy and Inter Miami CF II. Notably, he scored five goals and notched one assist in just 743 minutes of play in MLS NEXT Pro. This success can be attributed to many factors, both on and off the field.
“Benja physically fits. He gets around the field, his technique is good, he reads the game, he can move the ball and has really good awareness on the field…He just works hard, he listens and is very coachable. He’s an ideal young player that you want to have, who just keeps wanting to learn and grow. We hope that he continues on this path and can move forward and contribute on the First Team,” said Henderson.
“He’s just humble and open-minded and has a strong work ethic. Those three things with the talent he has, that’s the recipe for success,” added Academy Director Craig Dalymple.
“My play style is box-to-box. I like to get after the ball, have the ball at my feet and compete. A player that I really like to watch and enjoy is Rodrigo de Paul, I feel like I match his play style,” added Cremaschi.
With the ink now dry on his contract, Cremaschi has already turned his attention to the next steps in his young career, setting his targets high for himself and the team. Henderson, meanwhile, reflected on the work that will be required of him.
“The next steps for Benja will be a lot of hard work. He needs to get out there and continue what got him here today, and continue to learn and grow, listen to the coaches and work hard. He has the talent, now it’s about opportunities that are in front of him and making the most of them,” stated Henderson.
“Personally, I just want to get into training, play with the First Team and compete. And for the team, we just want to win and bring MLS Cup home. I know this team can do it,” declared Cremaschi.
