In a significant development for rugby fans, Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit has officially returned to rugby union, signing with the Bristol Bears for the 2025–26 season after an 18-month stint in American football. The announcement came on August 14, closing the chapter on his NFL journey and marking a triumphant homecoming to the sport where he made his mark Reuters The Guardian.
Rees-Zammit joined NFL training squads with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars but did not feature in any regular-season games. In a heartfelt statement, he described Bristol as “the obvious choice,” praising the team’s exciting, fan-first style as perfectly aligned with how he wants to play and express himself on the pitch Reuters The Guardian.
Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam welcomed Rees-Zammit’s return, calling him a “world-class player” with the drive to become one of the best back-three players globally—qualities that mesh seamlessly with the club’s ambitions ReutersThe Times.
Having had a successful stint at Gloucester, Rees-Zammit scored 42 tries in 77 matches. He also represented Wales with distinction, earning 32 caps and scoring 14 tries, including a call-up to the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021 Reuters The Guardian.
