Down GAA goalkeeper Charlie Smyth has signed for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints on a three-year contract.
The 22-year-old can have the prospect to fulfil his American soccer dream with the 2010 Tremendous Bowl champions.
Smyth joins the Saints as a kicker after impressing at trials and can goal to make the lively roster.
The Mayobridge goalkeeper has made his eye-catching transfer via the NFL’s worldwide participant pathway (IPP) programme.
New Orleans confirmed the deal for Smyth on Friday, as he swaps Gaelic soccer for American soccer.
Tadhg Chief, who’s a kicking coach for the IPP and was integral in bringing Smyth into the pathway programme, stated he was “misplaced for phrases”.
“I first met Charlie 6 months in the past,” Leader posted on X., external
“He and his household put their belief in me. Then we launched into a journey into the unknown. Because of Charlie’s expertise and work ethic, we discovered a method.”
Chief added: “He is rightly buzzing however already speaking about coaching subsequent week. Eire could not have a greater ambassador in Charlie.”
Paul Sheehy, president of the ProStar Sports activities Company which acts for Smyth, posted on X, external that he was “having a toast within the workplace to Charlie Smyth on his signing with the Saints”.
The IPP is a 10-week crash course for worldwide gamers designed to show the required expertise to achieve the NFL.
Smyth impressed scouts on the NFL Mix and pro-day trials, incomes an invite to the Saints’ coaching facility.