England captain Harry Kane has revealed he is contemplating a future as a kicker in American football after his career in soccer. The 33-year-old, who is also interested in a late move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, shared his thoughts during England’s UEFA Nations League training camp on Wednesday.
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Kane, England’s all-time leading scorer with 85 goals in 121 appearances, acknowledged that while he has previously considered careers in both golf and American football, he is now taking the prospect of joining the NFL more seriously. He stated, "That is something I will try and look at a bit more seriously. It all depends on what happens in my career over the next five or six years. The NFL is a lot more realistic than the golf one, let’s put it that way."
Regarding his potential transition, Kane mentioned that his experience with penalty-taking could give him an edge as an NFL kicker. "I take penalties and it is a very similar pressure and technique," he explained, but noted that switching sports would require significant preparation. He estimated he would need six months to a year of practice if he pursued this path.
Kane also suggested that playing in the MLS might provide an opportunity to bridge his soccer career with American football. He indicated that by being in the MLS, he could potentially connect the two sports.
Kane’s consideration follows instances of other players who have made similar transitions, such as Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who was a first-round MLS draft pick in 2017, and Jake Bates, who played college football before becoming a kicker for the Detroit Lions.
In the meantime, Kane's immediate focus remains on football, with negotiations for a contract extension at Bayern Munich reportedly progressing, and he anticipates an announcement soon. "We’re in good talks. There’s still some things that we need to iron out. I’m happy there. I think it won’t be too long before there’s some sort of announcement," Kane said.