Preston secure Felipe Rodriguez Gentile with new contract until 2026

Preston North End have announced 17-year-old Argentinian striker Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The Brazilian born player has but pen to paper on a three-year deal, and follows in the footsteps of goalkeeper James Pradic whose deal was announced Monday.

Rodriguez-Gentile shot to prominence last December when he scored five goals in one FA Youth Cup game. Having a player born in Brazil to Argentinian parents is quite unique for a club like Preston North End so his progress has been eagerly monitored since then.

Unsurprisingly that display in the cup didn’t go unnoticed, and the striker was reportedly being watched by the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City as reported by The Mirror.

The striker has been training with the first team since the summer, and featured heavily in pre-season, scoring three goals. He then went on to be named on the bench for Preston’s first five games of the season before the arrival of Milutin Osmajic.

As soon as he turned 17 on the 4th October, fans were keen to see Felipe tie his future down to the club, before any bigger teams could tempt him away.

He has already been away with the Argentinian national youth teams, and it is hoped he can make his professional debut with Preston North End now the contract has been signed. Although a loan move could also be on the cards.

It will be tough for him this season, with Ryan Lowe quite often playing just the solo striker up front. Will Keane started the season well with four goals early on, before Osmajic has come to the limelight, including a goal in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Coventry City.

Ched Evans has recently returned from injury as well, and it is hoped Emil Riis will be back soon enough.

Speaking to the official club website after signing the deal, he said “It’s my main goal right now to keep improving, keep working towards that debut and when the chance comes just grasp it and give it my all, and hopefully get a goal which is what I love to do.”

Whilst he has committed his immediate future to Preston, if he continues his impressive form, North End may be powerless if the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United come in with a big offer to tempt the striker.

The run of international breaks in September, October and November is met with collective groans across the nation.

PNE at least went into this break off the back of a victory, beating rivals Blackburn Rovers 2-1 away at Ewood Park.

A few North End players have jetted off around the world to play for their countries, including striker Milutin Osmajic…

Osmajic was handed a starting role for Montenegro on Thursday night – but maybe not where PNE fans would expect to see him utilised.

Montenegro boss Miodrag Radulović decided to deploy Osmajic on the right flank of a 4-4-2 against Lithuania.

Captain Stevan Jovetic and Lecce striker Nikola Krstovic started up top, meaning Osmajic had to make do with a spot out wide.

Montenegro ran out 2-0 winners with Edvin Kuc and Jovetic on the scoresheet as Osmajic got through a full 90 minutes.

Some fans may recognise the name of Jovetic, who joined Manchester City for £28million some 10 years ago.

Jovetic is a big name in Montenegrin football and has been around the block with the likes of Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Sevilla, Monaco, Hertha Berlin and Olympiacos.

The 34-year-old spoke to CG Fudbal after the win over Lithuania and moved to praise Osmajic alongside a number of other Montenegro players who ‘surprised’ him with a strong performance.

“Everyone did their best. They died for this jersey, which should always be a priority,” said Jovetic. “The defence was exceptional, Osmajić, Camaj, Kuč, Krstović. They really surprised me. I congratulate them on this occasion,” he added.

Montenegro have their date with destiny this afternoon as they travel to take on Hungary.

This is the final game of Euro 2024 qualifying and Montenegro still have a chance to finish second in Group G.

Neighbours Serbia sit second right now but a defeat at home to Bulgaria today would open the door for Montengro to swoop in.

That seems unlikely; Bulgaria are bottom of Group G and Montenegro winning in Hungary is a long shot.

Even a point for Serbia would leave them in a strong position as they have a much better goal difference than Montenegro.

Osmajic may well start again today and will be desperate to write a piece of Montenegrin history in the process.