Roger Goodell: 'UK could have an NFL franchise in the next five or 10 years'

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has talked up the idea for the UK to develop its own NFL franchise, following the success of the league's showpiece games held at Wembley Stadium.

Such is the demand for the sport in England's capital city, the NFL is to hold a record three league games at Wembley this coming season, with Goodell stating that a team isn't as far away as many would perhaps think.

"It depends on if we continue to see that growth and how fast it goes. We couldn't be happier with what we are seeing," said the commissioner, according to the NFL's official website.

"We actually couldn't be more surprised by the tremendous demand for NFL football in London and the UK in general and frankly even Europe.

"It's not something I think is 15 or 20 years away, it could be five or 10 years away."

The NFL will also host games on Thursday nights this coming season thanks to the introduction of Thursday Night Football.