Joshua Pynadath (Malayalam: ജോഷ്വ പൈനാടത്ത്; born 25 April 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Eerste Divisie team Jong AZ.

Joshua Pynadath
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-02-20) February 20, 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Mountain View, California, United States
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Jong AZ
Youth career
2009–2012 Red Star
2012–2013 De Anza Force
2013–2015 Real Madrid
2015–2019 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Jong Ajax 8 (0)
2022– Jong AZ 6 (0)
International career
2016–2017 United States U15 3 (0)
2018 United States U17 5 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 28, 2022

Club career edit

Ajax edit

Pynadath, who was born to an Indian father and European American mother, started playing soccer at Red Star Soccer Academy in his youth. In 2013, he made headlines when Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid showed interest in signing him into their youth systems. Pynadath ended up signing with Real Madrid, becoming the first American—and the first player of Indian descent—ever to join the club's youth program.[1][2]

In 2015, Pynadath moved to the Netherlands and joined the Ajax youth system.[3][4] On September 16, 2019, he made his professional debut when he came on as a substitute for Jong Ajax in an Eerste Divisie match against Jong PSV.[5]

On April 9, 2020, it was announced that Pynadath had decided to leave the Ajax Youth Academy at the age of 18, seeking to play in a higher competition.[6]

It was later reported that Pynadath was trialing with Chelsea.[7]

AZ edit

On June 30, 2022, Pynadath signed a two year contract at AZ Alkmaar, joining its second team.[8] He made his Eerste Divisie debut for Jong AZ on August 16, 2022, in a 2-0 victory against NAC Breda.[9]

International career edit

Pynadath has been capped by the United States at the U15, U17, and U18 levels.[3][4]

Personal life edit

Pynadath is of Malayali origin.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ Srivastava, Ayush. "Joshua Pynadath becomes first player of Indian origin to sign for Real Madrid's academy". Goal. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "US schoolboy joins Real academy". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Gandhi, Divyanshu. "Indian origin footballer called up for the national side against India". Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Joshua Pynadath (16): 'I want to win the Champions League'". Ajax.nl. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "Ajax II 2 – 0 PSV II". Soccerway. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  6. ^ "Pynadath verlaat Ajax voor grotere competitie" (in Dutch). Ajax Showtime. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Naar verluidt: 'Pynadath duikt op bij Chelsea'". Ajax Showtime (in Dutch). September 21, 2021. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "AZ legt Pynadath voor twee jaar vast". AZ Alkmaar (in Dutch). June 30, 2022. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Jong AZ zet Jong NAC Breda opzi". az.nl. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "സ്വപ്ന സാക്ഷാത്കാരം" [Realization of dreams]. Madhyamam (in Malayalam). August 11, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2024.

External links edit