NFL path.

Former England, Lions and Wasps winger Christian Wade has joined NFL franchise Buffalo Bills.

Wade was identified as one of four players to be allocated to an AFC East club this year as part of the league’s 2019 International Player Pathway Program.

Instituted in 2017, the program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.

The league identified seven top athletes from five countries last December who competed for the four placements in the 2019 program. Athletes from Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom included two professional Rugby players, Valentine Holmes and Wade, who are attempting to cross over to the NFL.

As the 11th member of the practice squads, they are ineligible to be activated during this season and move onto the franchises’ regular 53-man rosters.

He will therefore have a full season to prove himself and see if he can make the big step and we wish him every success.