LAWRENCE OKOYE is ready to take it slow to fulfil his NFL dreams after agreeing to join the San Francisco 49ers.
The 21-year-old missed out on selection in the NFL draft last week, but once it had been completed, he was offered a free-agent deal by 49ers - one of the most recognisable names in the sport.
They were this year's Super Bowl runners-up and have taken a punt on the British discus record-holder, who has never played a game of American football in his life.
The 6ft 6in former Whitgift School pupil knows he has a lot to learn, but is certain he has picked the right club to match his ambitions.
"There's a huge amount to pick up," said Okoye. "I've learnt as much about the game as I can without actually playing it but I'm still an outsider looking in.
"But they've made it clear that I shouldn't stress and that they're going to teach me everything from scratch. It will be similar to the journey I had learning the discus with my coach John Hillier.
"I started from the basics such as how to hold a discus and how to flick it off your fingers and I literally moved up from level one to level 100. I plan on doing the same thing with football."
Okoye, who was a promising schoolboy rugby player, impressed in non-contract trials in Atlanta and Dallas to earn his deal with the 49ers.
"It's amazing for me," he added. "Obviously, I'm absolutely delighted about how things have turned out and I think the 49ers are the best fit in the league for what I'm trying to do.
"They have the same vision as me and this could be a great success story as both parties really want this to work."
Okoye's deal has not been officially disclosed, but his management company have said that it is a "long-term commitment" from the club in the Croydon star.
And an NFL spokesman confirmed that he can expect to earn around £90,000 in his time with the practice squad, rising to £260,000 if he makes the senior roster.
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Okoye: "He's just an Adonis, just a great physical specimen of a man. I can think of some other adjectives. Our Creator created a beautiful man."
Okoye's progress will be overseen by the 49ers' defensive line coach, Jim Tomsula, who has a background in teaching players with little American football experience following a spell as head coach of Rhein Fire in the now defunct NFL Europe.
UK Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson said: "It's a tremendous loss to the discus but we wish him well in his new pursuit and look forward to seeing him back in the sport sometime in the future."
