Louis Rees-Zammit ends NFL pursuit to rejoin rugby union
Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit abandons his 18-month NFL experiment and sets sights on a rugby union comeback before the 2025 season.
Louis Rees-Zammit has confirmed he is quitting the NFL after 18 months and will resume his rugby union career in time for the 2025 season.
From Cardiff to Kansas City
The 24-year-old Wales international shocked rugby fans in January 2024 when he joined the NFL International Player Pathway programme, later signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as a running back and kick returner.
Despite flashes of speed during preseason, Rees-Zammit was released by the Super Bowl champions and subsequently placed on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad for the 2024 campaign.
Limited opportunities Stateside
Under IPP rules the Jaguars could have activated the Welshman twice during the regular season, including for their two fixtures in London, but he remained sidelined and later suffered a back complaint that hampered his progress at training camp.
Focus shifts back to rugby
In a social-media statement on Thursday, Rees-Zammit said he had \"loved every minute\" of his American adventure but felt \"this is the right moment to come home\".
He is expected to attract significant interest from former club Gloucester and several United Rugby Championship sides as he targets an international recall ahead of Wales' 2025 Six Nations campaign. Rees-Zammit has 32 caps and 14 tries for his country.
The Welsh flyer said returning to rugby was \"the only thing on my mind\", signalling a boost for club and country ahead of the new season.
This story was first reported by BBC Sport.
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