It's not about the money, it never was. Looking on: Jarryd Hayne could change the way American football is watched in Australia Credit:Getty Images But for a man who is used to five-figure amounts popping into his bank account on a weekly basis, he admits it will be a nice feeling when he receives the first of 17 (duration of NFL season including the bye) weekly contract payments this week. While Hayne is expected to earn millions in endorsement deals following his successful transition, his three-year deal with the 49ers is worth $US1.58 million,($AUD2.3 million) which means his first genuine pay day this week will yield $USD25,588 ($AUD37,022). In an interview with Fairfax Media in April, Hayne said "this was never about the money. I know what I'm over here for. If I lose everything, then so be it".

The all or nothing mentality has guided him to the front door of the NFL, but as the financial rewards look set to roll in, Hayne concedes he was excited for what the future holds. "I turn up to training on Monday and start getting paid," Hayne said when asked what was next on his journey. "Start getting paid some real money, which is pretty good." The contract includes a $US107,100 guarantee as well as an $US8000 signing bonus – financial incentives neither the Detroit Lions nor Seattle Seahawks were willing to offer the 27-year-old when he was looking for a club at the start of the year. Hayne will continue to get paid the weekly $US25,500 for the next 17 weeks, however if he is cut by the 49ers at any stage that will stop, but he will still walk away with a minimum of $US115,000 (guarantee and bonus).

His base salary for his rookie season is $US435,000, increasing in his second year to $US525,000 and $US615,000 in his third year. Rookies cannot renegotiate the terms of their contracts until after the second season, but that's a long way down the track for Hayne. For now, the Australian cult figure isn't looking too far ahead. "My biggest concern now is what I'm doing for dinner," Hayne said. "Beyond that, I don't really care. You know what I mean? You just let it happen. It's all about faith, baby."

"From giving up what I gave up, coming across here … it's the in-depth things, the dark days, the things I went through that are probably more significant than any of my achievements. For me, that's what's more important, getting through those tough days more than the days where I can celebrate. That's where I've grown more as a person."