Christian Wade has announced that he is joining the Player Pathway programme in a bid to forge a new career in the NFL after turning his back on rugby union.
“It’s been a very difficult decision for me, giving up my career in rugby,” Wade told Sky Sports on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, where the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Philadelphia Eagles in the last of this year’s International Series fixtures.
“Wasps have been so incredible to me, they’ve looked after me from the age of 16 all the way up to now and the fans have been great, the RFU have been great as well.
“Like I said, it’s been a very difficult decision for me to leave but I’ve now got the opportunity to go into the Player Pathway program like you’ve seen some of the other guys do. It’s something that I don’t take lightly. I’m going to be starting my training regime literally next week and it’s a huge mountain to climb.
“There’s so much to learn in such a small space of time but for me I’ve always been someone who’s always given it 100 per cent and my aim is to give it the best I can and hopefully I can try and compete with these guys in the NFL. There’s some phenomenal athletes but I believe in my skills and hopefully I’m good enough.”