Inter Miami CF continued to build its roster ahead of the 2021 MLS season with three additions in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. The Club selected winger Josh Penn from Indiana University with its 10th overall pick, defenders Aimé Mabika from University of Kentucky with its 26th overall pick and Joe Hafferty from Oregon State University with its 37th overall pick.
Penn, 20, was a standout at Indiana University, starring in attack for the Hoosiers. The winger made 22 appearances in his only season with the team, starting in each one, and finished with six goals and two assists. Penn also made history with USL Championship club Indy Eleven, becoming the first player to sign professionally for the club after having competed for its academy, also becoming the youngest player to ever sign for the club at that time (18 years, three months and 27 days). The left-footed attacker has also played for the U.S. U-19 and U-20 men's national teams.
Mabika, 22, is an imposing figure standing at six-foot-six that impressed in defense for Kentucky in his four years with the team. The center back made 62 total appearances for the Wildcats, recording 10 goals and contributing to 28 shutouts, while also being named team captain in 2019. He also earned C-USA All-Freshman Team honors in 2017, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region first team and All-C-USA first team honors in 2018, and was named Named C-USA Player of the Year, C-USA Co-Defensive MVP and earned All-C-USA first team honors in 2019.
Hafferty, 22, was a mainstay in Oregon State’s starting XI in his three years with the team. Overall, the defender made 53 appearances, 50 starts, for the Beavers, scoring two goals and dishing out five assists. Additionally, Hafferty earned All-Pac-12 first team honors in 2019.
