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Preston North End are delighted to announce Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 17-year-old forward has penned a deal which will see him stay at Deepdale until at least 2026.

Felipe, who is in the first year of his scholarship at PNE, trains regularly with the first team and has been involved in a number of matchday squads this Championship season.


Felipe said: “I couldn’t be happier to be honest. I can’t wait to start this journey and improve every day.

“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.



“I just want to thank my family for all their support and helping me in the tough times and the good times as well.

“I want to thank the fans obviously. They’re really special to me because the messages they send me, I read them all. I really enjoy the passion of this club.

“I thank Ryan Lowe as well for the opportunity of being up here. Sometimes it is tough but he’s always helping me and the staff members as well.”

The youngster burst onto the scene in December 2022 when he netted a remarkable five goals in an FA Youth Cup victory over Rotherham United at Deepdale.

Felipe, born in Brazil to Argentine parents, went on to take part in the first team’s pre-season schedule at the age of just 16, getting on the scoresheet in three friendly matches.

He earned his first involvement in a Sky Bet Championship matchday squad on the opening day of the season, and was then recognised internationally when he was called up to an Argentina U17 training camp in September.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “It’s been a short and fast journey for Felipe really since he burst onto the scene but he thoroughly deserves this contract.

“He came up with us in pre-season, did really well, and he’s been with the first team ever since.

“Felipe’s a real asset for us because he’s got that quality. We feel he’s got a big future ahead of him but right now he’s just got to keep working as hard as he possibly can to get his first minutes for the first team.”

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Preston North End are delighted to confirm Ali McCann has signed a new deal which will keep him at Deepdale until at least the summer of 2027.

The midfielder, who joined the club in August 2021, can now look forward to another three and a half years with North End after signing new terms.

Ali has featured in every game he’s been available for during the 2023/24 campaign, contributing to his total of 84 appearances for PNE.


Ali said: “I’m absolutely buzzing just to get it all sorted. To be fair, it was quite easy from start to finish, just getting it all done.

“I’m really happy here and just looking forward to the next couple of years.


“I’ve said loads of times before that it’s the perfect club for me to come down to.

“Settling in during the last couple of years was so easy. I’ve done interviews before when I’ve said the staff, the players, everyone, even the people who work at the training ground have made it so easy for me and I feel properly settled.”

Ali, now an established Northern Ireland international with 20 caps, had been with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone since an early age prior to his deadline day move to Deepdale in 2021.

The 24-year-old quickly became a starter with North End and has enjoyed some memorable moments, notably a brace against Huddersfield Town and a match-winner in a big victory away to AFC Bournemouth in the 2021/22 season.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “Ali fully deserves the extension to his contract because he’s been excellent since I’ve been here, on and off the pitch.

“He’s a great character to have around the place, he’s improving every single day, and he’s still young.

“Once his agent had spoken to Peter [Ridsdale] and I’d spoken with Ali, it all moved quite quickly, which I think shows his commitment to Preston North End.

“He’s a real asset for us so we’re happy he’ll be with us for the next few years.”

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Lewis now on loan at Crewe

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Preston North End are delighted to confirm Dai Cornell has signed a new deal to extend his stay until 2026.

The goalkeeper signed a two-year contract when he arrived at Deepdale in June 2022, and he’s now committed his future for another couple of years.

During his time with the club, Dai has made three appearances, including a Sky Bet Championship clash against Swansea City and a penalty save in a cup tie with Wolves.


Dai said: “I’m really happy and really grateful for the opportunity to extend my stay here, and fingers crossed we have some successful times.

“As a club within that dressing room and even in this [office] part of the building I think everyone wants to achieve the same thing and that is getting to the Premier League.



“I think the club’s ready to do it. It’s just us as a playing staff and management taking that next step to push to get us there.”

Dai made his PNE debut at Molineux in August 2022 in the second round of the Carabao Cup and featured again this season against Salford City, before making his league bow for North End in the final away match of 2023.

Away from the pitch, Dai also plays a key role in the local community. He has supported and remains an advocate for Preston North End Community and Education Trust’s HeadStart programme, while he and his partner Shaunie played a big part in the club introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme at Deepdale.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “Dai’s been a credit to himself and the football club ever since he came in, and he really deserves this new deal.

“We brought him in to challenge Freddie [Woodman] and he’s absolutely done that. Every day they’re pushing each other to the limit working with Mike Pollitt and James Pradic, and that’s what we want.

“He’s a great character around the training ground too and a top, top professional, so I’m really pleased he’s signed on for another couple of years.”

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Preston North End can confirm an option has been exercised to extend Andrew Hughes’ contract for another 12 months.

The defender last signed a new deal at Deepdale in 2022 which extended his stay until later this year, and he will now remain a North End player until at least the summer of 2025.

Hughes, 31, first arrived in Lancashire in 2018 and has been used regularly when available, now just a few appearances away from hitting 200 for the club.


He said: “I’m over the moon with it. Just to have that peace of mind and to know I’ve got that extra year, I’m really happy with it.

“It’s my second home here. I’ve loved every minute of it so hopefully I can stay here as long as possible.”



The Welshman, who started his career with Newport County, has racked up 196 appearances for North End since his arrival from Peterborough United.

He’s scored seven goals during that time, including one this season – a header against Swansea City in August 2023.

Used predominantly as a left-back during his early days with the club, Hughes has shown his versatility by appearing at left centre-back and left wing-back.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “I’m absolutely delighted for him and it’s great news for us.

“It’s important for us that we’ve got someone like him with us for another year. He’s been fantastic since I’ve been here and long may it continue.

“His performances, attitude and application have been different class so I’m really pleased his contract’s been extended for another year.”

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Mikey O'Neill leave club shortly


Preston North End are delighted to announce Ben Whiteman has signed a new long-term deal with the club.

The midfielder was due to be out of contract at the end of the season, but he’s now committed his future to PNE.

Ben has been a regular starter since his arrival at Deepdale in 2021, having featured 133 times for the club and taken the armband on a number of occasions.


Ben said: “I’m really pleased it’s all done now because I only ever saw my future being here and now I can kick on with PNE.

“The fans have made me feel really welcome ever since I’ve been here. They’ve been different class with me, and so have the boys in the dressing room.



“I just want to say thank you as well to the owner, Peter, and the gaffer for helping to get the deal done.”

After joining the club for a significant fee from Doncaster Rovers, the central midfielder made his North End debut within a couple of days and soon established himself as a key player.

During his time as a Lilywhite so far, Ben has scored ten times, including goals in Lancashire derbies against Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “I’m really pleased Whitey’s committed his future to the football club.

“We’ve been in discussions for a little while because we wanted to make sure the deal was right for both parties, and we’re all obviously pleased with the outcome.

“He’s shown his footballing credentials here in the past few years with the quality he possesses and by leading the team on several occasions.

“He’s a talented player who we feel can keep developing and help us in the next few years.”

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Preston North End are delighted to confirm Josh Seary has signed a new contract with the club.

The young defender, whose deal was due to come to an end this summer, will now stay at Deepdale until at least the summer of 2025.

Josh, 19, made his professional debut for North End in August 2023 in a Carabao Cup first round clash against Salford City.

On the new deal, Josh said: “I’m over the moon really. I feel at home here so I’m just glad it’s all done really.

“I’ve got to thank the gaffer and the club for showing faith in me. Hopefully I can repay the faith by playing as many games as I can and showing the fans what I can do, hopefully before the end of the season.”




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Josh Seary Keen To Show What He Can Do
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The right-back signed a scholarship with the club in June 2021 and at the same time agreed a professional deal which would be triggered once he turned 17.

Josh went on to feature heavily for the youth team, especially during the 2021/22 campaign when he helped them lift both the Youth Alliance League and Cup trophies.

The defender, who has represented Republic of Ireland at youth level, has been training with the first team all season and Ryan Lowe has recently said there may be a chance for him to feature again before the campaign is done.

The manager said: “He’s deserving of this new contract because he’s performed well every day in training.

“He’s a great asset for the club. He’s a young, enthusiastic player who’s been fantastic.

“He’s learning on a daily basis and as long as he keeps listening and learning, we believe he’s got a bright future here at Preston North End.”

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Preston North End are delighted to confirm Noah Mawene has signed a new deal with the club.

The 19-year-old, who joined PNE as an U13, has put pen to paper on a contract which will keep him at Deepdale until at least the summer of 2026.

Noah has made three senior appearances during his time as a professional at PNE, including two in the current Sky Bet Championship campaign.


Speaking after signing the new deal, Noah said: “I’m very pleased and very grateful. It’s another two years to have a really good go at setting up a career so I can’t complain.

“I’m just trying to still learn and I’m looking forward to it. I need to thank the club straight away for getting it done.



“The plan’s just to keep working and try to find a way now to set up a career in the next two years.

“The club have given me another opportunity to have a good go at it and the least I can do is work hard, give everything and have no regrets.”

The midfielder was consistently playing in age groups above his own as a teenager, before he signed a two-year scholarship in 2021, while at the same time committing to a professional contract which would be triggered once he turned 17.

Noah – who was part of the league and cup-winning double for the youth team in the 2021/22 campaign – went on to captain the U19s in the second year of his scholarship.

His senior debut came in December 2022 in a Lancashire derby victory over Blackburn Rovers, and the son of former PNE defender Youl has been in and around matchday squads ever since.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “He’s been fantastic. He’s been training fantastically well, he’s learning every day, and you can see him getting better technically and tactically.

“We’re really pleased to tie him down. He’s a great lad, too. He’s one of the first in and last out.

“His attitude is right up there so if he continues the way he’s going he’s got a bright future here at PNE.”

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Following the conclusion of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship season, Preston North End can confirm the club’s retained list.

Captain Alan Browne has been offered a contract to extend his ten-year association with the club, while Ched Evans has been offered a player-coach role.

Midfielder Lewis Leigh – currently on loan with League Two Play-Off finalists Crewe Alexandra – has also received an offer from the club.



Ben Woodburn and Greg Cunningham will both be leaving the club after making a combined 247 appearances for North End, with the latter having spent six and a half years at Deepdale over two separate spells.

Four players coming to the end of their scholarships have had a one-year option activated to extend their time with the U19s, while six will leave PNE this summer.


Contracted Professionals

Ali McCann
Andrew Hughes
Ben Whiteman
Brad Potts
Dai Cornell
Duane Holmes
Emil Riis
Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile
Finlay Cross-Adair
Freddie Woodman
Jack Whatmough
James Pradic
Jordan Storey
Josh Seary
Kian Best
Kian Taylor
Kitt Nelson
Layton Stewart
Liam Lindsay
Mads Frøkjær
Milutin Osmajić
Noah Mawene
Patrick Bauer
Robbie Brady
Ryan Ledson
Will Keane

Contracts Offered

Alan Browne
Ched Evans
Lewis Leigh

Out Of Contract And Released

Ben Woodburn
Greg Cunningham

Loan Player Returning To Parent Club

Liam Millar

U19 Players With One-Year Option Activated

Cole McGhee
Kacper Pasiek
Kaedyn Kamara
Tommy Davis

Second-Year Scholars Released

Callum Havard
Charlie Goldsmith
Ellis Horan
Ethan Eccleston
Izac Khan
Tom Wilkinson

Everyone at Preston North End would like to thank the departing players for their efforts during their time with the club and wish them all the very best for the future.

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Preston North End are delighted to confirm Ched Evans has signed a new deal to become a player-coach.

The striker, whose contract was up at the end of the 2023/24 season, was offered an opportunity to stay at the club in both a playing and coaching capacity – as confirmed in the retained list.

Ched has now put pen to paper on that deal and is looking forward to getting started in his new role, with the beginning of pre-season just a few days away.

Ched said: “I really appreciate the contract that’s been offered. I’m really happy with it.

“I’m super excited to get going again this season. Player-coach is a unique situation, but I believe there’s still a lot of playing in me, but in the meantime I can get experience on the coaching side.

“Preston’s a place I’ve come to love and I know everyone here. For me, having the opportunity to stay here was massive.”


Since his arrival in 2021, Ched has made 92 appearances for North End, scoring 16 goals in that period.

During the previous few years, the 35-year-old has been working on progressing with coaching, and has now completed both his UEFA B and A Licence.

The striker feels he has plenty still to offer on the pitch when playing opportunities come around, but he’s also excited to learn and develop as a coach, and acting as a bridge between the dressing room and the management staff.

Manager Ryan Lowe said: “I’m really pleased Ched’s accepted the chance to join the great coaching staff we’ve got already.

“He’ll work closely with Peter Murphy to help develop the youngsters but also help out with the seniors and the strikers, because he’s been there, seen it and done it.

“He’s got valuable experience and we still feel he’s got a lot to offer on the pitch, but off it as well.

“We let him take a select XI in an in-house training match during an international break last season, just to let him experience it, and you could see what he has to offer. We think he’ll be a valuable coach for us.”