World Footy News

Richmond Football Club tonight confirmed that it is the club that has signed American born Irishman John Heslin. Heslin, an 18-year-old Agricultural Science student from University College Dublin, who has competed at hurling, soccer and Gaelic football at a high level, will be selected by the Tigers as an international rookie in next December’s Rookie Draft.

Heslin currently plays Gaelic football for his university team, as well as at senior level for county club Westmeath. As a junior, he represented Ireland in soccer, and made such an impression that he was noticed by a number of Premier league clubs and invited to trial at then English Premier League club Derby County.

Heslin trialled last year with the Essendon football club but the Tigers sought him out after watching him the Sigerson cup this year and were quick to secure his services. His father John played Gaelic football in the US (including forming a club in Boston) and John moved to Ireland with his parents when he was six.