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Down GAA goalkeeper Charlie Smyth has signed for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints on a three-year contract.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 22-year-old will have the chance to fulfil his American football dream with the 2010 Super Bowl champions.<\/p>\n
Smyth joins the Saints as a kicker after impressing at trials and will aim to make the active roster.<\/p>\n
The Mayobridge goalkeeper has made his eye-catching move through the NFL’s international player pathway (IPP) programme.<\/p>\n
New Orleans confirmed the deal for Smyth on Friday, as he swaps Gaelic football for American football.<\/p>\n
Tadhg Leader, who is a kicking coach for the IPP and was integral in bringing Smyth into the pathway programme, said he was “lost for words”.<\/p>\n
“I first met Charlie 6 months ago,” Leader posted on X., external<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n “He and his family put their trust in me. Then we embarked on a journey into the unknown. Thanks to Charlie’s talent and work ethic, we found a way.”<\/p>\n Leader added: “He’s rightly buzzing but already talking about training next week. Ireland couldn’t have a better ambassador in Charlie.”<\/p>\n Paul Sheehy, president of the ProStar Sports Agency which acts for Smyth, posted on X, external<\/span><\/a> that he was “having a toast in the office to Charlie Smyth on his signing with the Saints”.<\/p>\n The IPP is a 10-week crash course for international players designed to teach the required skills to succeed in the NFL.<\/p>\n Smyth impressed scouts at the NFL Combine and pro-day trials, earning an invitation to the Saints’ training facility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n