Sources indicate that Portland Hearts of Pine will add 19-year-old striker Felipe Rodríguez Gentile, formerly of Preston North End in the English Championship and AFC Fylde in the National League North.
Rodríguez Gentile turned heads when he scored five goals in Preston’s 6-1 win over Rotherham United in the third round of the 2022-23 FA Youth Cup. He also scored against Gillingham and Luton Town during the quarterfinal run, finishing the tournament as the second-highest scorer (7 goals).
Rodríguez Gentile spent the 2023-24 preseason with the senior team, scoring against Bamber Bridge, Bruno’s Magpies, and Ipswich Town. In November 2023, he signed a professional contract through the summer of 2026.
While he never made his first-team debut, he did make bench appearances and continued to star in the FA Youth Cup, where he recorded a goal and an assist against Liverpool in 2024.
In January 2026, it was announced that Rodríguez Gentile would spend the rest of the season on loan to Fylde. He scored four goals in his first eight league appearances. He finished his stint with seven goals and five assists in 18 games, helping Fylde win the National League North title to earn promotion back to the National League.
Rodríguez Gentile, who trained with the Argentina U-17s, has been linked with several prominent clubs throughout his career, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Nottingham Forrest, and Tottenham Hotspur.
The striker is known for his clinical finishing, explosive pace, and off-the-ball movements.
