Following in teammate Andrew Wolverton’s footsteps, Penn State men’s soccer forward Mike Minutillo will become the second Nittany Lion this year to join the professional ranks, signing a contract with 07 Vestur of the Faroe Islands’ Premier League.

Minutillo will head overseas to Vagar, one of 18 islands part of the Kingdom of Denmark, after an impressive senior season. Named one of the Big Ten’s Preseason Players to Watch, Minutillo scored eight goals and tallied four assists while starting in 19 of the season’s 20 matches, including three game winners. After scoring twice against St. Francis (PA) on Sept. 22, the San Jose, Calif. native was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.

“I am so proud of Mikey because it has been quite a journey for him to get to this point,” head coach Bob Warming said in a release. “He enrolled at Penn State without ever visiting campus because he trusted we would help him develop.”

Before playing a key role on Penn State’s second-straight NCAA tournament team in 2014, Minutillo started his college career at Virginia Tech. Playing for the Hokies during his first two years of college, the former U.S. Soccer Academy product totaled six goals in 30 starts, including a team-leading two game-winning goals during his freshman campaign. After transferring to Penn State in 2012, Minutillo started 11 of 12 matches, adding one goal and two assists in 627 minutes before spending the 2013 season on the sidelines to preserve his eligibility. He finished his Nittany Lion career with 23 points (9 goals, 5 assists) while starting 31 out of a possible 32 matches.

07 Vestur, founded on Dec. 18, 1993 as FS Vágar, competes in the Faroe Islands’ Premier League (Effodeildin). The first-team gained promotion to Effodeildin in 2012 after winning 1. deild (First Division), but was relegated after the 2013 season. 07 Vestur finished third in 1. deild in 2014, missing promotion by just one point.

Photo: GoPSUsports.com