Veteran NFL running back Reggie Bush has signed with the San Francisco 49ers, making him Jarryd Hayne's team-mate and potential foe.
On a promotional trip to Sydney last year Bush was full of praise and encouragement for former NRL star Hayne as he was weighing up a possible crack at an NFL career.
But, with Bush now joining the 49ers, the nine-year NFL veteran and the Australian rookie could find themselves competing for time on the field.
"The best is yet to come," 30-year-old Bush told his 3 million followers on Twitter after securing his 49ers deal.
Hayne is scheduled to make his first appearance at the 49ers training facility on April 6 and, depending on how he performs on the practice field, he could either be cut after 20 weeks or earn a place on the squad.
The 49ers were keen to re-stock their running back ranks following the departure of the 49ers' all-time leading rusher Frank Gore to the Indianapolis Colts last week.
A 2010 Super Bowl winner with the New Orleans Saints, Bush was cut by the Detroit Lions earlier this month following an injury-marred season.
If Hayne does impress, he could potentially join Bush as part of a 49ers' multi-player attack at running back.
General manager Trent Baalke said the 49ers could have a number of players rotating at the position, instead of a single running back carrying the load.
"It's tough to run 20, 30 carries a game in the NFL," Baalke said at a press conference last week.
"My hat's off to the guys able to do that consistently week in week out through 16 games taking the type of pounding they take."
After helping the Saints to their only Super Bowl title, Bush was traded in 2011 to Miami later signed by Detroit in 2013.
In his NFL career, Bush has carried 1266 times for 5465 yards and 35 touchdowns while also contributing 466 catches for 3489 reception yards and 18 touchdowns.
Last season, Bush was bothered by a nagging ankle injury and ran only 76 times for 297 yards and two touchdowns while also making 40 catches for 253 receiving yards.
The 49ers went 8-8 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
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