A human trafficking victim who played for Croydon’s London Warriors has gone from rags to riches after he signed for NFL side the Carolina Panthers.

Efe Obada, 25, only played five matches for the Thornton Heath side in 2014 before being signed by the Dallas Cowboys the following year.

He became the first international player to go straight from an American football European league to the NFL.

The Nigerian-born defensive end has since had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons prior to an NFL announcement which saw him put pen to paper for the Carolina Panthers.

Mr Obada is expected to pocket $465,000 (£358,933) a year – the lowest amount a signed NFL player can be paid.

The dizzying heights of playing for the North Carolina outfit stands in stark contrast to his childhood when, aged just 10, the former Lambeth resident was trafficked into the capital.

Soon after he arrived Mr Obada was left homeless, but years later he found work as a security guard in Welwyn Garden City.

The 6ft6ins athlete said following the move: “I am very happy and excited about the opportunity. I feel like this is something I need to progress and further my career.

“I am very grateful to the guys who have worked with us and put their neck on the lines for us. It’s a chance to develop my skills and is going to be in that NFL environment again.”