Louis Rees-Zammit joins Bristol Bears as he makes a return to rugby union after NFL stint

Louis Rees-Zammit’s return to rugby union is complete after joining Bristol Bears with immediate effect.

The 24-year-old is back in the sport after leaving in January 2024 to pursue a career in American football.

The Welshman was on the training squads of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not play in a regular-season game.

He announced his decision to return to rugby union at the start of the month and now it is known where he will be playing after signing for Bristol.

Rees-Zammit will join up with the Bristol squad on Saturday, with their PREM season starting on September 28 against Leicester Tigers.

Louis Rees-Zammit hoping to ‘excite’ Bristol Bears fans

‘Bristol Bears was the obvious choice for me,’ Rees-Zammit said.

‘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.

‘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.’

Rees-Zammit, is a British and Irish Lion as well as a Wales international, who can operate across the back three.

He has scored 14 tries in 32 Test appearances for his country and scored 42 tries in 77 appearances for Bristol’s rivals Gloucester before attempting to cracking the NFL.

Louis Rees-Zammit is ‘world class’, hails Bristol chief

And Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam is delighted that the winger has chosen Ashton Gate as his next destination.

‘Louis is a world-class player, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to rugby union and to the Bears this season.

‘Although we have a small squad, we’ve been building quality depth and experience across the team, bringing in players who can cover multiple positions to help us take that next step in the PREM and in Europe. Louis offers exactly that to our dynamic back three, with his ability and desire to play both full back and wing for the Bears.

‘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.

‘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 when he joins the group tomorrow.’