Louis Rees-Zammit has announced he is leaving the NFL and returning to rugby after spending 18 months chasing his dream of an American football career.
The former Wales winger was part of the Jacksonville Jaguars squad that travelled to London for two games last season.
But the 24-year-old didn’t make a regular-season appearance, either with the Jaguars or the Kansas City Chiefs, where he also had a spell but missed out in a place in their squad.
“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,” Rees-Zammit said in a post on social media.
“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.”
The Welshman joined the NFL through the league’s international player pathway, aimed at giving elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at NFL level and improve their skills.
Rees-Zammit told Sky News last year that the decision to quit rugby was the “toughest” he had ever made.
“For my dad to be able to say that his son’s in the NFL would be the most proud moment of my life – not just my dad, my brother and mum are so supportive of me and I could never do this without them,” he added.
Rees-Zammit earned 32 caps for Wales in his initial rugby career and was part of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021.
Read More:
British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule
Fears for future of Welsh rugby
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
His comeback to rugby coincides with a challenging period for Wales, who recently broke an 18-match losing streak and are set to welcome new head coach Steve Tandy at the end of August.
For the first time in over a century, no Welsh player was included in head coach Andy Farrell’s starting XV for the opening match against Australia.
