Jarryd Hayne quit his rugby league team Wednesday in order to pursue a career in the NFL.

Hayne, who won the National Rugby League's highest individual accolade -- the Dally M Medal -- for a second time just last month, has been given a conditional release by his club, the Parramatta Eels, in order to follow his NFL dream.

"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 said in a letter published on the Eels' website.

"Today I can officially announce that I will be heading to the United States to pursue an opportunity to play American Football."

Renowned for his acceleration, Hayne said he believes he has the skills to make it as either a punt returner or kick returner.

"I believe I have the speed, I'm a quick learner, I feel things out really quickly," he said. "I have no doubt it's going to be tough. Ultimately it's a 12-month plan, going over there and trying to make a train-on team. For me to do that I need to start preparing for that around January or February."