Rugby superstar Jarryd Hayne resigns from the Parramatta Eels in order to pursue a career in the National Football League (NFL).

Last Tuesday, the 26-year old Rugby athlete announced that he would be leaving the Eels and will also be withdrawing from Australia's Four Nations squad as he moves to another continent to transition to the NFL.

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In a statement he released via the Parraeels' website, Hayne had said that he had been thinking about moving to the NFL for the past 24 months, with his desire for it intensifying in the last 12 months.

"I will be withdrawing from the Kangaroos Four Nations side immediately, and accepting a conditional release from the Eels to make the move overseas," he said.

Earlier this year, Hayne had visited the facilities of the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. According to a statement he released in Twitter, he left with good memories.

While there was speculation that he would join the Seahawks, he cleared it up and said that he would be moving to America as a free agent and that no team has offered him a position yet.

Hayne is 6'2 and weighs about 220 pounds. For his size and athleticism, Hayne said that the easiest transition for him would be to become a punt or kick returner.

In a press conference, eyes filled with tears, he had said that he was just about to become the highest paid player in the National Rugby League (NRL) before he decided to chase his dream of playing in the NFL.

However, he has already reached his dream when he bought his mother a house. "Everything else is a bonus," he says.

He added that the primary factor for him leaving is the need to be challenged.

Hayne has a 12 month plan to get into the NFL, but Australia's former NFL punter Ben Graham, said that it would be closer to two years.

This isn't a problem with Hayne though, as he is not too old to chase his dream. 

TagsParramatta Eels, NFL, NRL, Jarryd Hayne, Seattle Seahawks