The Bristol Bears have confirmed the signing of “‘world class” Louis Rees-Zammit, who returns to rugby union for the brand new season after his stint within the NFL.
Rees-Zammit introduced initially of August that he would return to the game wherein he has been capped 32 instances by Wales, following a failed try to interrupt into the NFL.
The 24-year-old participated within the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway after quitting rugby in January 2024 after which made pre-season appearances for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs earlier than being picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, however was unable to advance past the latter’s follow squad.
He returns to rugby with final season’s Prem Rugby semi-finalists forward of the beginning of the 2025-26 marketing campaign in September.
After Bristol introduced his signing with a video on social media with the tagline “there’s a storm coming”, Rees-Zammit stated: “Bristol Bears was the apparent alternative for me.
“The model of rugby the staff play – all about entertaining the followers and rising the sport – completely aligns to how I wish to play and the way I categorical myself on and off the sphere.
“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. I’m looking forward to working with my team-mates, Pat Lam and the coaches and all the backroom team to bring success to the Bears.”
The Bears’ director of rugby, Pat Lam, stated: “Louis is a world-class player, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to rugby union and to the Bears this season.
“Though we now have a small squad, we have been constructing high quality depth and expertise throughout the staff, bringing in gamers who can cowl a number of positions to assist us take that subsequent step within the PREM and in Europe. Louis presents precisely that to our dynamic again three, along with his capacity and need to play each full again 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 simply 24 years previous, we all know the athlete and competitor he’s. The way in which we play and the best way he desires to play match seamlessly collectively, and we’re wanting ahead to working with him when he joins the group tomorrow [Friday].”
Bristol first play away to the Sale Sharks within the Prem Rugby Cup on Saturday September 13, whereas they open their league marketing campaign at dwelling to the Leicester Tigers on Sunday September 28.
How quickly will Rees-Zammit be again taking part in for Wales too?
Hopes of a swift worldwide return, in the meantime, too have already been boosted by new Wales head coach Steve Tandy.
Talking to Sky Sports activities final week forward of the autumn internationals from November, Tandy stated: “I’m pretty open-minded, I just want to see him playing.
“That is an important factor, getting him again and him being in an surroundings he is actually glad in.
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Sam Warburton discusses the return of Rees-Zammit and hopes for his return to the Welsh facet
“Him being available is a massive addition to the squad. You know he’ll be in brilliant shape, he’ll be fit and he’s an instinctive rugby player who does things really naturally.
“The training he is had may have made him a fair higher rugby participant so it is, for him, discovering the best membership and surroundings, and I’ve little question he’ll be again to the place he was, if not higher.”
