The NOLA Gold have made a splash with their first official player signing by adding Ohio Aviators standout Sebastián Kalm to their roster for the 2018 Major League Rugby season. Since earning league MVP honors in the inaugural PRO Rugby season in 2016 the Lindenwood University graduate has been spotted with Old Blue in New York and most recently returned to the Kansas City Blues in some sevens tournaments during the summer.

Kalm, 24, is seen as a player of interest for the US Eagles for whom he qualifies to play for under the three-year residency rule ahead of this year’s November test series. Despite being born in Chile and representing his country up to the u20 level, the loose forward declared his intention to pursue senior international honors with the USA earlier this year citing the desire to play in a Rugby World Cup as a major motivation to change his allegiance.

New Orleans are slowly increasing their media presence and last month announced the addition of Todd Fitzgerald as an assistant to Head Coach Nate Osborne. While no other players have been officially confirmed, a handful have been linked to the team including uncapped Eagles squad hooker Cam Falcon, USA South Panthers lock Alex Czajkowski, former Texas A&M flanker Conor Bertrand, and former LSU captain Bobby Johns.