Louis Rees-Zammit lands NFL contract with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs | NFL

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.