Australian rugby league player Valentine Holmes has walked out on a lucrative rugby league contract in a bid to make the grade in American football, following in the ill-fated footsteps of Jarryd Hayne.

The Cronulla Sharks star was on the verge of becoming the team's highest-paid player in a deal reportedly worth Aus$5 million (US$3.6 million) but has opted to give it away to pursue his dream.

"I am 100 percent committed to making the NFL," Hollmes told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. "I wouldn't be risking everything if I didn't think I could make it."

The popular 23-year-old will leave for the US in January to train for nothing at the world-famous IMG Academy in Florida -- home to the NFL's International Player Pathway Program.

"Obviously I love rugby league, the Sharks and all of its fans, but for me, this is more to do with the challenge of making it in the NFL," he said.

"People will say it can't be done but I'll believe in my ability and I am backing myself to play in the NFL," added Holmes, who is expected to try out for the positions of running back or wide receiver. Holmes played for Australia in the Rugby League World Cup, and scored five tries against Samoa in the quarterfinals.

Transitioning to American football from rugby league is no easy feat. While league has some similarities to gridiron, including a down system, the flow of each game is different, and football is a more vertical game, while league is more lateral.

Still, some rugby players have succeeded in the NFL, usually because they spent a lot of time playing both sports. Current USA rugby players Paul Lasike and Psalm Wooching were very successful in football, and NFL standouts such as Haloti Ngata and Nate Ebner have shown you can make the move, albeit from rugby union, not league.

The high-profile Hayne -- who this week was charged with sexual assault in Australia -- gave it a go in 2015.

He was selected for the San Francisco 49ers' final 53-man roster as a kick returner and running back, making his debut against Minnesota. 

Hayne appeared in six games, carrying the ball eight times for 25 yards, making one catch for seven yards and returning eight punts for 76 yards, before being released.

The Cronulla Sharks reluctantly agreed to release Holmes on the condition that if he fails to secure a team, he must return the club.

© Agence France-Presse