The Tremendous Bowl champions, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, have signed the previous Wales rugby union worldwide Louis Rees-Zammit.
Rees-Zammit, 23, stop rugby earlier this 12 months to pursue a profession within the NFL. He joined by way of the league’s worldwide participant pathway (IPP) and impressed the Chiefs throughout his trial, with working again and broad receiver his designated positions.
The Chiefs stated on their web site: “The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs made a world splash on Friday with the addition of former European rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit to the roster” and referred to as him “Rees-Lightning”.
Rees-Zammit, who visited a number of NFL franchises, together with New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos, stated in a video posted by the Chiefs on X that he had “simply signed, can’t wait to go, and see you all at Arrowhead [Stadium]”.
His subsequent purpose is to win a spot on the Chiefs’ closing 53-man roster for the brand new season, becoming a member of their star gamers like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in concentrating on a 3rd successive Tremendous Bowl.
The previous Gloucester, Wales and British & Irish Lions wing surprised the world of rugby in January by quitting the game in an try to safe a contract with an NFL crew in 2024. That dream moved a step nearer when he impressed throughout final week’s Professional Day that types a part of the IPP.
The Chiefs stated: “Rees-Zammit participated within the worldwide participant pathway programme exercise earlier this month, which supplied the former rugby star with an alternative to point out NFL scouts what he may do. His exercise included a 4.44-second 40-yard sprint, which might have ranked fifth amongst tailbacks on the 2024 NFL scouting mix.”
The Chiefs listed Rees-Zammit as a working again, a place the place Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon are each free brokers, which may go away little depth behind starter Isiah Pacheco.
Rees-Zammit’s former Wales teammate Josh Adams supplied his congratulations, posting on X: “Journey to Kansas sorted then! Higher order my LRZ chiefs jersey. LouisReesZammit Wonderful mate honest play.”
In the meantime, Northern Eire’s Charlie Smyth, a Gaelic soccer goalkeeper with Down GAA, has signed a contract as a kicker with New Orleans Saints.
Smyth, 22, will compete for a roster spot with Blake Grupe, who made 30 of 37 subject objectives and all 40 of his further factors as a rookie final season.
