Los Angeles (AFP) – British prospect Efe Obada has re-signed for the Carolina Panthers after a successful debut season for the NFL franchise, the team confirmed on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Nigeria-born defensive end, who grew up in London after moving to Europe as a 10-year-old, had been due to enter free agency in March.
“I’m very grateful,” the 6-foot-6 lineman said on the Panthers website. “It’s another opportunity to contribute to the team and obviously support myself and my family.”
Obada is the most successful product of the NFL’s International Pathway Program, which aims to unearth new talent from overseas. Obada is the first player from the program to secure an active roster position.
Obada arrived in the United States in 2015 after playing for the London Warriors American football team.
He was cut by the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 and later released by the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
However he impressed for the Panthers in pre-season last year before going on to make his full debut in week three of the regular season against Cincinnati, notching a sack and an interception in a 31-21 win.
Obada, who made eight tackles and two sacks in 10 games for the Panthers, said he plans to fully establish himself with Carolina next season.
“The main thing for me is being consistent and trusting my training,” he said.
“I’m going to work on my weaknesses – knowledge of the game, just recognizing things a bit quicker in terms of my keys against the run and things like that.
“I definitely want to step into a more secure role, into a leadership role on this team. That’s what I’m working toward.”
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