For London Native Jay Ajayi, Wembley = The Garden

The JayTrain is heading back across the pond in 2018. 

While plenty of Eagles players were happy to hear the news that the team will be playing the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London on Oct. 21 or 28 next season, it was especially delightful for Jay Ajayi. 

Ajayi was born in the Borough of Hackney, North London, and lived there until he was 7. Now 24, Ajayi still has his British accent, along with his affinity for the culture. 

"It's a great surprise, obviously, to know we're playing over there," Ajayi said on Thursday. "It's not my focus this week, obviously (with the playoff game on tap). But it's a cool little thing to know I get to go back over there next year."

Ajayi actually got to play in London earlier this year while he was still a member of the Dolphins. He got a chance to see many family members who still live in the UK and flew his immediate family out for the "special game." 

The game itself didn't go too well, though. The Dolphins were shut out 20-0 by the Saints in front of 84,000-plus at Wembley. 

Just a chance to play at the stadium was incredible for Ajayi.  

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"It's like how Americans look at the Garden, Madison Square Garden, the Celtics, where they play, it's kind of like that," Ajayi said. "It's a hallowed place, special. It's where the national team plays. So it's going to be an amazing experience next year when we're over there."

It's not surprising at all that the Eagles were picked to play in London next season; they are one of just six teams that hasn't yet played over there. Having Ajayi on their roster likely made it a slam dunk. 

The Eagles will face the Jaguars in the game in October; it'll be a home game for the Jags, who have traveled to London for the last five seasons. 

The full NFL schedule won't be released until April. 

Ajayi said interest in American football has been growing in England and more kids are beginning to pick up the sport. He was treated like a rock star during his trip back earlier this season. 

It's unclear how the Eagles will handle the trip, if they'll want to get across the Atlantic Ocean early to practice over there or if they'll simply treat the trip like they would a cross-country trip to California for a single game. 

Ajayi is hoping his teammates get to sample a little bit of his hometown. He said his favorite thing to do is to get a Greek gyro or lamb skewer from a little hole in the wall spot. 

"Hopefully we get enough time that you can go out and see the city for itself because it is a special place," Ajayi said. "Lot of history there. I would say, we'll probably be close to Central, so go do some shopping and go get some authentic European food you might not get in the states. 

"If you do get that time to experience something different, to experience different culture, that's always good for people just because it opens up your view of the world a little bit."

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