Undrafted free agent Okoye will get his big break in the NFL with San Francisco 49ers



British Olympian Lawrence Okoye has announced he will sign for American football side the San Francisco 49ers.



The 21-year-old, who was 12th in the discus at London 2012, was not selected on the final day of the NFL draft.



But he revealed on Twitter he was joining the 49ers as an undrafted free agent.



Big break: Lawrence Okoye has been snapped up by the Niners after impressing at the Super Regional Combine

He tweeted: 'Proud to announce that I will be signing with the San Francisco @49ers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'



Okoye, who turned down offers to play rugby union and was also accepted to study law at Oxford University, initially said he intended to carry on with the discus and aim for Rio 2016.



But he subsequently decided to swap to American football and wowed scouts at the Super Regional Combine despite having never played the sport.

New path: Lawrence Okoye has signed for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency

According to reports he will sign a three-year deal with the 49ers and will play in the defensive line.



Manchester-born Menelik Watson was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round.

