Former Cronulla Sharks star Valentine Holmes' dream of playing in the NFL has taken another step, assigned to the New York Jets through the International Player Pathway Program.
Having spent the past three months at Florida's IMG Academy learning how to train and play American football, Holmes along with six other international athletes trialled for scouts of all 32 NFL sides last week, competing for one of four spots available among the AFC East sides.
Holmes clearly impressed scouts - with rumours mounting he was sought after by the Jets, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.
With the Patriots, Dolphins and Buffalo Bills this morning announcing that they had signed their allocated players, Holmes was revealed as the 11th member of the Jets' practice squad.
That will mean that Holmes is ineligible to compete for the Jets in the 2019 NFL season. However, the allocation is a huge step into sealing a deal with a professional side.
The news is ironic for the former Sharks, Australia and Queensland fullback, known to be a fan of the New York Giants, his new side's local rivals.