Louis Rees-Zammit announces stunning return to rugby from NFL

Louis Rees-Zammit announces stunning return to rugby from NFL

The 24-year-old revealed he was leaving the NFL on social media on Thursday night

Rees-Zammit in action for Wales at the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023 (Image: (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images))

Louis Rees-Zammit has announced he will leave the NFL and return to rugby in a stunning announcement.

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His return to rugby comes just 18 months after the 24-year-old initially quit the game to pursue his dream of playing American football. Rees-Zammit had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, but never featured in a regular season game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

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"I’ve got an exciting announcement to make! I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby," said Rees-Zammit in an Instagram post on Thursday night.

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"It’s been a great experience but it’s time to come home. I’ve decided that this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season.

"There’s only one thing that’s on my mind, that’s coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can’t explain how excited I am!!

"There’ll be more news to come soon but for now, see you soon rugby fans."

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Rees-Zammit's move to the NFL came in stunning fashion back in 2024 - with the announcement being made on the day Wales were naming their Six Nations squad.

After initially going through the NFL's International Player Pathway, he was signed to the Chiefs - but was ultimately cut after struggling to impress in pre-season.

He then joined the Jaguars, spending the entire 2024 season on their practice squad. Having not played at all, he temporarily left the Jaguars - but was soon re-signed as part of their expanded off-season roster.

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This week saw reports that he had missed training with the Jaguars due to a lower back injury, placing his future in doubt.

Recently, he had been training with fellow Wales internationals Liam Williams and Gareth Anscombe.

Rees-Zammit had previously hinted at a return to rugby while speaking to TalkSport in June.

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"International players get probably two to three years to make it in the NFL," he said. So I wanted to do it at a time where I maybe could come back to rugby.

"I'm 24 now, probably got one to two more years to try and make it depending on how this year goes.

"I'll be 25, 26 when I go back to rugby. I like to think I can still play at the highest level."

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In his first spell in rugby, Rees-Zammit won 32 caps for Wales - touring South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 2021 and playing at the 2023 World Cup in France.

The news will come as a boost to new Wales coach Steve Tandy as he starts the job next month.

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