Former Wasps winger Christian Wade has announced that he intends to pursue a new career in the NFL.
Wade, 27, announced earlier this week that he was retiring from rugby amid reports that he planned to join the league’s International Player Pathway.
Former rugby players Alex Gray and Christian Scotland-Williamson have already embarked on the International Player Pathway and are currently signed onto the practice squads of the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers respectively.
But in order to join them, Wade admits he has a “huge mountain to climb”.
“It’s been a very difficult decision for me, giving up my career in rugby,” Wade told Sky Sports ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars’ clash with the Philadelphia Eagles at Wembley Stadium.
“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 percent 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.”
Wade is the Premiership’s third record try scorer having scored 82 tries in 130 appearances for Wasps. Despite his consistent performances at club level, Wade only managed to earn one England cap during his rugby career having been overlooked since his solitary appearance on the 2013 tour of Argentina.
However, despite not getting the chance to shine on the international stage, Wade believes that he does not have any unfinished business with the sport.
“I’ve always given everything I do 100 percent and my career in rugby has been a really good one.
“I’ve got things I’m really proud of and I worked hard and I feel like I did everything that I possibly could. I don’t have any regrets in rugby really and that’s the best way to leave it. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but I’ll always love rugby whatever happens.”