Premiership champions Northampton Saints have signed George Smith after the lock walked away from the possibility of forging an profession in American soccer.
The 22-year-old, who stands 6ft 8in (203cm) and weighs in at 138kg, was among the many NFL’s worldwide participant pathway consumption earlier this 12 months alongside ex-Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit.
Smith was in the USA from late January earlier than being tempted again to rugby and the English recreation with Saints in April, having performed within the second division with Coventry up till his choice to attempt to earn an NFL contract.
“I used to be out in America nevertheless it simply wasn’t actually for me,” Smith advised the membership web site., exterior
“I needed to pursue rugby greater than American Soccer. Shieldsy [Paul Shields, Saints head of recruitment and retention] rang me up asking if I needed to return in, practice with the boys and see if it was the proper match.
“It felt like house from day one.”