Rugby: A former rugby sevens star has signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons

Alex Gray makes a break during the 2016 Sydney Sevens against the USA. Photo / Getty Images

The former captain of the England Under-20s rugby union team has signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Alex Gray, 26, spent this year playing for the Falcons practice squad after he graduated from an international player pathway last year.

In doing so, the British tight-end has proved that top-tier rugby players can convert to American football and become NFL players.

Gray had become the first English rugby union professional to quit rugby in order to take up American football.

He celebrated a decorated career in rugby union, claiming the England Sevens player of the year in 2015 and played over 40 Premiership games for London Irish.

Gray also lead the England Under-20s squad to the Junior World Championship Final in 2011, even captaining the likes of Owen Farrell and George Ford.

Alex Gray breaks free to score a try against Fiji at the 2016 London Sevens. Photo / Getty Images

Last year the Telegraph reported that Gray decided to leave the sport after being offered a place on the NFL's International Player Pathway programme.

After impressing during trial games he signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Due to graduating through the programme, Gray was ineligible to play in the regular NFL campaign for the Falcons.

However, the new deal means he will be under contract once the new NFL season begins in early March.

Given he impresses the Falcon's coaching staff enough to make the final 53-man squad, we could see a former rugby player in the NFL.

Additional reporting from the Daily Telegraph UK.

Head coach Dan Quinn has been impressed with the start @AlexShaggyGray has made at @AtlantaFalcons training camp 🇬🇧🏈 pic.twitter.com/QASS4M1uti

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) July 31, 2017