Running back Andre Sadeghian of Beamsville has been added to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice roster, after being released by the BC Lions.

Andre Sadeghian, Beamsville's prized running back, has returned home.

After being released by the BC Lions after his first season in the Canadian Football League, the 23-year-old was picked up by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and added to their practice roster on July 2.

"It feels really good to be home," he said Wednesday. "The comfort level is there, and it's great to be back where everyone knows my name."

Sadeghian had attended camp with the Lions, but found himself buried on the depth chart behind other backs like Joe Smith, Stefan Logan, Ian Smart, and Rolly Lumbala.

Last year, he played in all 18 games with the Lions, spending time on special teams, and carrying the ball three times for 14 yards.

Joining the Tiger-Cats' squad marks a homecoming of sorts for the 6'0, 222-pound running back.

The Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary alumnist spent his last two college seasons playing in Hamilton for the McMaster Marauders. In his final season there, he averaged six yards a carry for 983 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games. He also caught 12 passes for 198 yards and two majors.

Sadeghian transferred from the University of British Columbia after spending his first two college seasons on the west coast.

Moving out west again last season to join the Lions came along with a steep learning curve, said Sadeghian.

"It's a huge change ... the speed of the game and the competition from university increases a huge amount," he said. "But a lot of it has to do with learning the schemes and the offensive playbook. That slows the game down once you get a good grasp on it."

Joining the Ti-Cats practice roster will give Sadeghian a chance to learn yet another new playbook, which all of his new teammates learned in camp prior to this season.

He hopes to see some playing time in the next few weeks.

For now, he is practicing with the club every day, lining up behind his old pal, Jesse Lumsden - another former Marauder running back, now the offensive star in Hamilton.

"We train together and he's a familiar face," said Sadeghian. "It's good to see him, and it was a comfort to know he was there."

He added that the route back to Hamilton was originally supposed to be completed via trade, but when Tiger-Cats' GM Bob O'Billovich, former BC Lions' head scout, got wind of Sadeghian's availability, he jumped on the chance to sign his former third-round draft pick.

"I just hope to be able to contribute to the team," said Sadeghian. "Hopefully I get a chance as soon as I can."