Jarryd Hayne with the Kangaroos
The Kangaroos' Jarryd Hayne (L) and Kiwis' Shontayne Hape jump for a high ball in the centenary rugby league test match between Australia and New Zealand in Wellington, October 14, 2007. Reuters

Jarryd Hayne, a star in the National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia is quitting the Parramatta Eels, the NRL and the Australian rugby national team to pursue the dream of playing in the National Football League (NFL) in the United States.

Hayne had a press conference on Wednesday to announce the decision and stated that he’s “under no illusions” of his chances in the big leagues and admitted that the task at hand is “going to be tough”.

Hayne’s statements in the presser mirrored what he said in the Eels official website where he also made the announcement.

“For the past 24 months I’ve been thinking about having a crack in the NFL, and over the last 12 months I’ve been seriously considering it,” Hayne stated. “Today I can officially announce that I will be heading to the United States to pursue an opportunity to play American football. I will be withdrawing from the Kangaroos Four Nations side immediately, and accepting a conditional release from the Eels to make the move overseas.”

Hayne admitted that there’s a lot of risk in the controversial move but was adamant that he was just “following his heart”. Hayne visited the Seattle Seahawks facilities earlier in 2014 and is looking to set up camp in Los Angeles when he arrives in the United States.

"I think he could be a running back at 6-foot-2 (189cm) and 220 pounds (100kg), but I heard him say he might play punt returner and that is not a bad move,” Paul Manera said via smh.com.au. Manera is an Australian who played American Football with the University of Hawaii and is helping Hayne in his dream of making an NFL roster.

“Usually in the NFL you play a position and then they will sort you out for special teams but every now and again they will get a guy on the roster because he is just an outstanding special teams player. In Jarryd's case that may be the foot in the door and keep him on the roster while he is still learning the game."

Hayne has suited up for the Eels in the NRL for the past nine years (2006 to 2014) playing the the fullback/wing/centre positions. He has won two Daily M Medals for the league’s player of the year in 2009 and 2014.

Watch some of Hayne’s highlights in the NRL below. Does he have the skills to make it to the NFL?

(YouTube/AP7 Montages)

“I’m always telling people to chase their dreams and follow their hearts, if I don’t live by that I’m not being honest with myself,” Hayne finished in his statement. NRL lost one of it biggest stars but surely have gained rugby and sports fans respect for taking a risky venture in his career.