“I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited to be here”: PNE teenager makes AFC Fylde loan move
AFC Fylde have brought in Preston North End youngster Felipe Rodríguez-Gentile on loan until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old striker has come through the ranks at Deepdale, making a name for himself in the youth set-up and becoming involved in the first-team picture.
Born in Brazil to Argentinian parents, Rodríguez-Gentile helped North End to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals in the 2022/23 season.
That run was highlighted by five goals in PNE’s 6-1 win over Rotherham United in December 2022.
He contributed further goals against Gillingham and Luton Town before being named as a substitute for the senior team’s first six league and cup matches in the 2023/24 season.
Although he didn’t come off the bench in any of those games, he was called up to Argentina’s U17 squad in September 2023 as they prepared for their World Cup campaign.
Later that year, he signed his first professional contract at Deepdale, which runs until the summer of 2026.
Searching for senior football, he joins a Coasters team looking to chase down National League North leaders South Shields and win promotion back to non-league’s top flight.
Rodríguez-Gentile told Fylde’s media team: “I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited to be here.
“I’ve been looking to get out on loan at this level for a while, so I can’t wait.
“There’s a pressure, of course, to come in and perform but I’m in a team where I’ll get plenty of chances and we’ll have plenty of possession, so I need to make sure I’m up to the level.
“It’s been a rollercoaster few years so far and I’m just looking forward to the next step.”
AFC Fylde head coach Craig Mahon added: “We’re delighted to welcome Felipe to AFC Fylde.
“Felipe arrives with a lot of pedigree. His technical ability matches our style of play and we look forward to seeing what he can produce in the weeks and months to come.”