FORMER Armagh GAA star Jamie Clarke hopes to win a contract with Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls later this year.

It is understood the mercurial GAA player has been training among the club’s reserve ranks and will find out in November time whether he will be signed up.

Clarke is living on America’s east coast and has been playing for Longford GAA club in New York this summer - but has also spent time with the high-profile MLS club.

World Cup winner Thierry Henry finished his playing days with Red Bulls, while former Man City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is currently on the club's roster.

Before leaving Ireland, the Crossmaglen Rangers forward played a few soccer games with local Carbane League club Cartwheel United, where he made a big impression.

The 27-year-old has always been a highly-rated soccer player, but he gave his commitment over to Gaelic football growing up. Clarke stepped away from the inter-county scene before the start of the season as he had firm plans in place to move to New York.

Last winter, he returned from his travels to line out for Crossmaglen in the Ulster final against Scotstown and played in their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Castlebar before flying out to New York again.