FORMER Wellington player Nathaniel Short could be going head to head with England legend David Beckham next season after signing professional terms with American side Rochester Rhinos.

The midfielder-turned-defender, better known as Nano, joined the New York outfit after graduating from Lynn University in Miami.

Rochester play in the USL One League, one below the MLS, where ex-Premiership stars Beckham (LA Galaxy), Darren Huckerby (San Jose Earthquakes) and Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders) now ply their trade. Rochester could be drawn against any of them in the US Open Cup.

Short, a former Ladymead School pupil whose brother Dan plays for Wellington, joined Wellington as a teenager before moving to Bridgwater Town where he won a scholarship to Lynn.

The 24-year-old captained Lynn for three years and picked up numerous awards including an MVP and All American accolades.

After graduating, he played for development side Cape Cod and went on trial with a number of clubs before agreeing terms with Rochester, coached by Keynsham-born ex-York City player Darren Tilley.

Short, who has ambitions of playing as a professional this side of the pond, said: “This has been my dream all my life and wouldn’t have happened without the support of my parents. I have also had the privilege of receiving some of the finest coaching in America which has helped me progress.”