Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit has signed with Bristol Bears for the 2025-26 Gallagher Premiership season, marking his return to rugby union after 18 months pursuing an NFL dream. The 24-year-old left rugby in January 2024 to join the NFL's International Player Pathway programme but never played in a regular-season game.
Rees-Zammit spent time with both Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars training squads before deciding to return to rugby. He was initially signed by the four-time Super Bowl champions Chiefs, but was cut in 2024 and joined Jacksonville as part of their practice squad.
High-profile homecoming
"Bristol Bears was the obvious choice for me. The style of rugby the team play - all about entertaining the fans and growing the game - perfectly aligns to how I want to play and how I express myself on and off the field," Rees-Zammit said. "I want to get fans out of their seats, create exciting moments and help people fall in the love with the game. I'm excited to return to rugby at a club that demands those values."
The Wales international, capped 32 times with 14 tries, previously spent six years at Bristol's local rivals Gloucester before being released to pursue American football. He will join Bristol's squad on Saturday ahead of their season opener against Leicester on 28 September.
Strategic attacking fit
WalesOnline reports the signing followed intense competition from multiple clubs, including interest from the R360 league and Cardiff as surprise contenders, with Newcastle ruling themselves out of the race. The transfer competition highlighted the significant demand for Rees-Zammit's signature across rugby.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam described Rees-Zammit as a "world-class player". "He has the drive and ambition to be one of the best back-three players in the world, and his goals align perfectly with our ambitions as a club," he said. "At just 24 years old, we know the athlete and competitor he is. The way we play and the way he wants to play fit seamlessly together, and we're looking forward to working with him."
Statistical evidence
The tactical marriage is supported by Bristol's attacking prowess. According to BBC analysis, Bristol scored 635 points in 2024-25, second only to champions Bath but 60 points more than any other team. Their 95 tries averaged 5.3 per game, joint-highest in the division, while they led the league with 10,458 metres made and 567 defenders beaten.
His international pedigree includes being part of Wales' 2021 Six Nations title-winning side, featuring at the 2023 World Cup, and touring with the British and Irish Lions in 2021. For Gloucester, he scored 42 tries in 77 appearances across six seasons.
Wales return prospects
Bristol have three other wingers in Gabriel Ibitoye, Jack Bates and Kalaveti Ravouvou, though the latter played primarily at centre last season. New Wales head coach Steve Tandy has already indicated Rees-Zammit could be considered for a national team return as early as this autumn's internationals.
The signing represents a remarkable journey from Gloucester star to NFL hopeful to Bristol Bear within just 18 months. Rees-Zammit's career began in Cardiff Rugby's academy before moving to Hartpury College and making his Gloucester debut shortly after his 18th birthday.
Sources used: "PA Media", "BBC", "WalesOnline" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
