International rookie hopeful Alex Aurrichio has signed on to play VFL for the Carlton-aligned Northern Blues next season.
The New York native, who travelled to Melbourne in November to pursue his dream of playing professional sport, has decided to join the Blues after training with VFL rivals Collingwood, Coburg and Sandringham.
The 198cm, 109kg big man is being groomed as a defender after an impressive US college career as a soccer goalkeeper and baseball player.
Aurrichio has trained with the Northern Blues for the past week and general manager Garry O'Sullivan said the club is willing to be patient with the big man.
"It's been an interesting process, but at least he now knows that after all his hard work and desire to get a foot in the door somewhere, he now has a place at the Northern Blues," O'Sullivan told the club's website.
"We all know that we've got a long way to go, however we're very hopeful that it will prove to be a fruitful project both for us and for Alex.
"There’s certainly enough (that we've seen) to suggest that he could play senior VFL football, and so we're very excited to officially provide that opportunity for him."
The 24-year-old has been on a whirlwind trip to Australia after he tested at the USAFL Combine last April and then played in the national championship victory for the New York Magpies.
Encouraged by his teammates, Aurrichio cut together a highlights tape of his performances, sent it to AFL clubs and a week later he was flown to Melbourne to trial.
No AFL offers have been forthcoming, but Aurrichio has not lost heart – even though he risks losing his status as a potential international rookie selection if he plays a game of VFL.
O'Sullivan said Aurrichio was determined to realise his dream and the Northern Blues are willing to take a chance on the big American.
"Of course there's risk. The risk is that he doesn't get to achieve the level that he wants to achieve," he said.
"But the signs are there. He's big, he's strong, he's mobile and he's motivated.
"Already he's provided such a presence to our group on the track and in the weights room.
"His enthusiasm and the way he just absorbs information and has taken up game education conversations with (coach Luke Webster) has been exceptional."
