5 days ago
Bristol Bears sign Louis Rees-Zammit on return to rugby union
Bristol Bears have signed Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit for the 2026-26 Prem Rugby Season, on his return to rugby union after 18 months pursuing a career in American football.
The 24-year-old, who left the sport in January 2024, announced in August that he would be returning, following a failed attempt to break into the NFL.
Rees-Zammit was on the training squads of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, but never played in a regular-season game.
Capped 32 times by Wales, Rees-Zammit spent six years at Bristol's local rivals Gloucester before joining the NFL's International Player Pathway.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said Bristol Bears are "thrilled" to welcome Rees-Zammit back to rugby union.
'Louis is a world-class player," he said. '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.'
Rees-Zammit said: 'Bristol Bears was the obvious choice for me. 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."
He'll join up with the Bristol squad on Saturday 16 August, with their Prem season starting on 28 September against Leicester.
