HIGH POINT, N.C. – Former High Point University men's soccer player Renato Punyed has signed a contract to play professionally with IBV in the Icelandic Premier League.

"We are all extremely proud for Renato," HPU head coach EJ O'Keeffe said. "He was a shining example of doing things the right way during his career here at HPU. Renato is a young man with the upmost character and integrity. We look forward to watching his professional career blossom."

Punyed played in 78 games with 61 starts over four seasons with the Panthers. The midfielder finished his HPU career with 30 points on nine goals and 12 assists. He was a first-team All-Big South selection as a senior after posting one goal and three assists as a deep-lying midfielder while also finishing third on the team with 1572 minutes played.

IBV was founded in 1903 and has won three Icelandic Championships and four Icelandic Cups. Last season, the club finished ninth with a 6-11-5 record and a -4 goal differential. The new season begins on April 30.

Punyed is the third former HPU player that will play professionally in 2017. Both Austin Yearwood and Shane Malcolm both play in the United Soccer League in the United States. Yearwood plays with the Charlotte Independence and Malcolm plays with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

#GoHPU