Harry Kane is mapping out a retirement plan that could eventually take him from the penalty spot in European football to the goalposts of the National Football League. The Bayern Munich striker and England captain revealed he is seriously considering a transition to professional American football as a placekicker once his soccer career concludes, potentially during a stint in Major League Soccer.
From European Pitches to NFL Goalposts
Kane’s interest in American football is not a passing whim. The 31-year-old forward has harbored ambitions of trying his hand as an NFL placekicker for several years, viewing the discipline as a natural extension of the ball-striking skills he has honed on the soccer pitch. Speaking to The Athletic, Kane addressed the long-term viability of the cross-sport jump.
“It is something I will definitely look at more deeply,” Kane said. “It depends on how my career goes over the next five to six years, what my motivation levels are, and what I want to achieve.”
The transition is not entirely without precedent in modern professional sports. Brandon Aubrey, currently the kicker for the Dallas Cowboys, played professional soccer for Toronto FC in his early twenties before making the successful switch to American football. Kane believes the psychological and technical demands of soccer translate directly to the NFL.
“NFL is much more realistic than golf, even though my golf game is decent,” Kane noted, pointing to his well-documented 301-yard average drives and low handicap. “When I take a penalty, the pressure and technique required are very similar to what a kicker faces. In terms of training and mechanics, American football is much closer to what I do every day.”
Contract Status and Future Timeline in Munich
Despite his forward-looking ambitions, Kane remains firmly anchored to elite European club competition. The forward is currently under contract with Bayern Munich, where he continues to lead the attack in the Bundesliga. While his current deal is set to expire next summer, German outlet Sky Sport reported that Kane and club executives are actively discussing an extension that would keep him in Munich through at least 2029.
“Right now, my absolute focus is on staying at the highest level in Europe for as long as possible,” Kane said.
Should he eventually decide to finish his soccer career in North America, Kane has floated an even more ambitious scenario: attempting to play soccer and American football concurrently if league schedules permit. Such a move would likely place him in MLS, raising the possibility of a stateside reunion with former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Son Heung-min, who joined Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in August 2025 on a contract running through 2027 with extension options for 2028 and 2029.
Evaluating the Dual-Sport Feasibility
Kane is expected to return to action for Bayern Munich in their upcoming Bundesliga fixture as the club continues its domestic and European campaigns.
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