COVENTRY Rugby flanker Paddy Ryan will leave the club at the end of the season and pursue his international ambitions with the USA.
The 25-year-old will join San Diego Legion who are one of the 12 teams that contest Major League Rugby in the United States.
Ryan made his debut for the American Eagles last summer and now has five caps following his autumn appearance in the Vila International Rugby Cup.
Ryan said: “I love it at Cov, it’s such a great club with great people and coaching.
“But with ambitions to play in a World Cup MLR is the best place for me to get picked from so this is too good an opportunity to miss.”
Coventry head coach Alex Rae added: “It’s always disappointing to lose good people and Paddy is certainly one of those.
“This is a great opportunity for him – it fits really well with his international ambitions and offers a fantastic life experience.
“We wish him well and look forward to seeing how he goes.”
The Irish-born flanker qualifies for the USA through his American mother and returned to full-time rugby when he joined Coventry from Championship rivals Ampthill in the spring.
Since then he has gone on to play in 16 of Cov’s 20 competitive games scoring three tries.
His new side San Diego currently lie in fourth place in the MLR’s Western Conference with former Wallaby Matt Giteau and London Irish star Blair Cowan among their better-known names.
