NRL: Cronulla Sharks star Valentine Holmes set for shock NFL code switch
Cronulla Sharks superstar Valentine Holmes is set to quit the NRL to pursue a dream career in the NFL.
In a shock development, The Daily Telegraph reports the Australian and Queensland Origin representative has told his club that he intends to chase a contract in America’s premier football league, effective immediately.
According to the report, Holmes visited a major NFL franchise during a recent visit to Nike’s head office in the United States.
The speedy fullback is under contract with the Sharks until the end of 2019 and was widely expected to be headed north to join the Cowboys from 2020 onwards.
AAP
The Cronulla Sharks confirmed that club CEO Barry Russell wold be meeting with Holmes to discuss his potential move abroad.
"Sharks CEO Barry Russell will meet with Valentine Holmes and his management representatives in the coming days to discuss reports of his potential move to the USA and the NFL," the club said in a statement released on Monday afternoon.
"The Sharks are not in a position to make any further comment at this time but will provide more details once they become available."
It is believed Holmes intended to move north to be closer to his family, making his desire to relocate overseas and chase a career in the NFL an even bigger shock to the NRL community.
Holmes and Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo trialled in front of NFL agents in 2016.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has told The Daily telegraph he is unaware of any move.
Holme's intended move mirrors that of off-contract NRL star Jarryd Hayne’s 2015 NFL bid with the San Fransisco 49ers.
Hayne played eight games with the 49ers primarily as a punt returner where he notched 76 yards before ultimately failing to break into the first-string team.
AAP
Holmes reportedly clocked a 4.6sec on the 40-yard dash, a metric used to rank NFL prospects, which puts him in the same company as Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Tampa Bay star Mike Evans.
Hayne notched a 4.53sec in his dash.
MORE TO COME.
