Former Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth signs for New Orleans Saints

Down Gaelic footballer Charlie Smyth has signed for the New Orleans Saints on a three-year deal.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper signed with the 2010 Super Bowl champions as a kicker after an impressive display at a workout at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.

Smyth, who has played Gaelic football since the age of four, took part in the NFL Combine earlier in March as part of the International Players Pathway, which offers elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at NFL level. 

Fellow GAA goalkeepers Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson also impressed at the Combine, while former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader was also part of the IPP.

Tadhg Leader, a kicking coach with the IPP who helped give Smyth his opportunity, said he was "lost for words" after Smyth was offered a deal with the Saints. 

"I first met Charlie 6 months ago," Leader wrote on Twitter. 

"He and his family put their trust in me. Then we embarked on a journey into the unknown. Thanks to Charlie's talent and work ethic, we found a way.

"He's rightly buzzing but already talking about training next week. Ireland couldn't have a better ambassador in Charlie." 

Smyth, who won an under-20 Ulster title with Down before making his senior debut in 2023, signed to American football agency ProStar Sports and took part in pro-day trials in Florida following an impressive showing at the Combine. 

The former Down 'keeper landed eight out of ten kicks at the trials, leading to interest from the Saints. 

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Smyth will now compete with Saints kicker Blake Grupe for a place in the franchise's active roster. 

NFL franchises can have up to 90 players on their roster during the off-season, but must cut that down to 53 before the beginning of the season. 

Those players who are not part of the active roster are either released or retained in a practice squad, where they can earn large salaries and be called up to the active roster throughout the season. 

Starting next season, which begins in September, all 32 NFL franchises will have an additional place in their practice rosters for international players, including those signed through the IPP.