The Portland Hearts of Pine continued to build their 2026 roster for their second season.

The club announced the signing of Serigne Mbacke Faye, a 23-year-old, 6-foot-3 central defender from Senegal who spent the past two seasons playing for Bulgarian squad Etar FC. His first season with Etar was delayed by visa issues before he appeared in four games with the First League team.

In 2024-25, Faye was the club’s Second League starter as a center back, scoring two goals on headers off set pieces.

In Portland’s first season the Hearts went 12-8-12 overall and advanced to the USL League One semifinals. Portland, which tied for second in the league with 51 goals and had a plus-10 goal differential, scored once on a set piece in 2025.

“His physical profile and technical ability make him a natural fit in our system,” said Portland coach Bobby Murphy in the club’s announcement.

Portland opens its season second USL1 season March 14 at the New York Cosmos, one of five expansion franchises joining the league. The Hearts first home match at Fitzpatrick Stadium is April 11 against defending league champion One Knoxville.