Cronulla, Queensland and Australia star outside back Valentine Holmes is reportedly set to make a shock departure from rugby league to pursue a career in the NFL.
News Limited reports that Holmes will ask for an immediate release from the final year of his Cronulla Sharks contract, after spending time with an undisclosed NFL club during a recent American holiday. Holmes flew back into Australia today.
The Sharks released a statement saying "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 23-year-old still has another year to run on his contract at the Sharks and had been strongly linked to a return home to North Queensland.
Holmes has previously expressed his desire to play in the code, and even went to the extent of trialling in front of NFL agents at a talent camp with North Queensland forward Jason Taumalolo.
At the time, his manager Chris Orr claimed four NFL clubs had expressed an interest in the pair, before Taumalolo re-signed with the Cowboys and Holmes the Sharks.
Holmes has since gone on to become one of the NRL's most exciting talents, scoring 22 tries in 26 games last year for Cronulla to be named the club's player of the season. He has also scored 17 tries in 13 Tests for Australia, including a record 11 inside just two games at last year's World Cup.