Essendon has selected Jayden Nguyen from the Calder Cannons as a Category B rookie.

A 178cm defender with the ability to push into the midfield and even hit the scoreboard, Nguyen’s overall athleticism is a standout in his game, possessing elite speed and a big vertical leap.

The 18-year-old recorded top five finishes in the National Combine for the 20-metre sprint and agility test, as well as both the standing and running vertical jumps, highlighting his dynamic physical attributes.

Nguyen is no stranger to the NEC Hangar, having trained at the facility via the James Hird Academy since his early teenage years with fellow draftee Isaac Kako, where the pair were also teammates at the Calder Cannons.

Averaging 19 disposals per game for Calder in the Coates Talent League and 13 per game with Vic Metro in his three appearances at the National Championships, Nguyen was rewarded late in the season with a VFL debut for the Bombers in the final round.

He didn’t look out of place alongside a group of AFL-listed Dons on the day, finishing with 16 disposals and a goal in a 38-point victory over Coburg.

Nguyen has taken no time in hitting the ground running, beginning training with the Bombers on Friday morning alongside Kako and Zak Johnson, another of the Bombers’ takings from this year’s talent pool.

The full squad officially returns for training on Monday morning.