Louis Rees-Zammit has announced that he is returning to rugby union with immediate effect, bringing the curtain down on his dream of making it in the NFL.

Driven to pursue his ambition having watched his father play for local teams in Cardiff, ‘LRZ’ walked away from a promising international rugby career after being selected to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway. Starring physically throughout the intensive ten-week training programme, Rees-Zammit was then recruited by the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, remaining with the club throughout training camp but eventually being cut from the roster after failing to stand out during pre-season appearances in which he was tried at several different positions.

His dream continued, however, as he was picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he spent the entire 2024 season on the team’s practice squad, despite hopes that he might be called up to the active roster for the two games the Jaguars played in London that season. Released from the roster at the end of the season, the Welshman was recalled to Jacksonville this summer, with an expanded squad and his eligibility as an ‘overseas’ player allowing for a second chance with the Florida franchise. Updates on the NFL’s own website this week, however, listed ‘Rees Lightning’ as missing training camp session with an undefined back injury and, unable to build on his previous exposure to the skills needed to make the roster, it appears that the 32-appearance Welsh rugby winger took matters into his own hands by announcing he was to return to his first love.

“I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby,” he posted on Instagram. “It’s been a great experience, but it’s time to come home. I’ve decided that this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season. There’s only one thing that’s on my mind, that’s coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can’t explain how excited I am.”

The 24-year-old, who hails from Penarth just outside the Welsh capital Cardiff, will return to rugby 18 months after telling his Wales and Gloucester team-mates that he was headed to the United States. Rees-Zammit has yet to reveal which club he will join on his return (hint: it’s very unlikely to be his hometown team – Ed) but competitive leagues start their season towards the end of September.