Louis Rees-Zammit Bio
Louis Rees-Zammit is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a winger for Prem Rugby side Bristol Bears. He is widely recognized for his remarkable speed, finishing ability, and try-scoring record at both club and international level, having represented Wales and the British & Irish Lions. In 2024, he made a high-profile switch to American football through the National Football League’s International Player Pathway Program before returning to rugby union in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Louis Rees-Zammit was born on 2 February 2001 in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. His paternal grandfather had emigrated from Malta, and his parents were both athletes. His brother played rugby union for Llandaff RFC, while his uncle Paul Rees played as a full-back for Cardiff RFC, Pontypool RFC, and the Wales B team. His father Joe played American football for the Cardiff Bay Tigers and introduced Louis to the National Football League from a young age, with the family supporting the Washington Redskins, now the Washington Commanders. Rees-Zammit’s favourite NFL player was DeSean Jackson.
Rees-Zammit attended The Cathedral School, Llandaff, where he played rugby. After completing his secondary education, he progressed to Hartpury College, the academy linked to Gloucester Rugby, in the AASE Championship. At Hartpury, he won consecutive trophies while continuing to develop as one of the most exciting young wingers in the country.
Path to American Football
Rees-Zammit’s athletic path took a dramatic turn in January 2024, when he announced his retirement from rugby union to pursue a career in American football. He entered the National Football League’s International Player Pathway Program in early 2024, training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before his pro day on 20 March. The transition drew global attention because of his elite athletic profile, including a recorded top speed of 24.2 miles per hour during a rugby match.
Following his IPPP pro day, Rees-Zammit was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2024 as a running back and return specialist. He later moved to the Jacksonville Jaguars as a wide receiver before ultimately deciding, after 18 months in the NFL, that he wanted to return to rugby union.
Louis Rees-Zammit Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Rees-Zammit debuted for Gloucester’s senior team in the 2018–19 season, becoming the club’s youngest ever English Premiership player at 18 years and 70 days. He also became Gloucester’s youngest European player and youngest European try scorer in the pool stage of the Champions Cup during that debut campaign. In December 2019, he scored two tries against Worcester Warriors in a 36–3 win, and later the same month became the youngest player to score a hat-trick of tries in the Premiership against Northampton.
In January 2020, Rees-Zammit signed his first professional contract with Gloucester. He finished the 2019–20 Premiership with 15 appearances, scoring ten Premiership tries and three in the pool stage of the European Champions Cup, and was named Gloucester’s young player of the year.
Gloucester Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Rees-Zammit made his senior international debut for Wales from the bench against France at the Stade de France in October 2020, scoring his first test try against Georgia on 21 November 2020. In February 2021, he scored his first 2021 Six Nations try against Ireland and followed it with two tries, including the winning try, against Scotland, earning the man of the match award. Wales went on to win the 2021 Six Nations Championship, and Rees-Zammit was awarded the Try of the Championship.
On 6 May 2021, Warren Gatland selected Rees-Zammit for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa, making him the youngest player chosen for the tour since 1959. He scored three tries in four appearances on the tour, including a try on his debut against the club Lions. He was later nominated for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award, which was ultimately won by New Zealand’s Will Jordan.
Final Gloucester Years (2022–2024)
During the 2022–23 Premiership Rugby season, Rees-Zammit suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for eight weeks. After returning in February 2023, he scored a try in a 28–26 home win over Harlequins. Across that season, he played 13 league games, starting in 12, and scored four tries along with one Champions Cup try. He was also part of the Wales squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, scoring five tries in five appearances, and featured in the Netflix documentary Six Nations: Full Contact.
In January 2024, Rees-Zammit decided to leave Gloucester after making 77 club appearances and scoring 210 points. He was in the final season of his £225,000-a-year contract and had attracted interest from French Top 14 clubs Bordeaux and Montpellier.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024)
On 29 March 2024, Rees-Zammit signed with the Kansas City Chiefs to play as a running back. He made his NFL preseason debut on 11 August 2024 in a 26–13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording six carries for 22 yards and one reception for three yards. He went on to make three preseason appearances for the Chiefs, switching from jersey number 9 to number 49 during the preseason.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024–2025)
On 28 August 2024, Rees-Zammit was not selected for the Chiefs’ 53-man roster and became a free agent. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad the same day as a wide receiver, wearing number 84. He later joined the active roster on 17 February 2025, before being moved to the exempt/international player list at the end of April 2025.
Bristol Bears Era (2025–Present)
On 31 July 2025, Rees-Zammit announced his return to rugby union following an 18-month stint in the NFL. He signed with Bristol Bears ahead of the 2025–26 Prem Rugby season and made his league debut with a try in a 42–24 victory over Leicester Tigers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rees-Zammit’s career milestones include becoming Gloucester’s youngest ever Premiership player, the youngest Lions tourist since 1959, scoring five tries at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and being part of Wales’ 2021 Six Nations title-winning campaign.
Louis Rees-Zammit Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rees-Zammit’s family has strong sporting roots, with his parents both being athletes and his brother playing rugby union for Llandaff RFC. His uncle Paul Rees played professional rugby for Cardiff RFC, Pontypool RFC, and the Wales B team, while his father Joe played American football for the Cardiff Bay Tigers and introduced Louis to the National Football League.
Personal Life
Rees-Zammit was named official patron of the British charity Sporting Minds UK in 2021, having worked with the organization since 2019. He also carried out sponsorship work for the telecommunications firm Vodafone during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
2025 Season Performance
Rees-Zammit’s 2025 season began with his return to rugby union in the summer of 2025 after his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ exempt list. He signed with Bristol Bears ahead of the 2025–26 Prem Rugby season and opened his league career at the club with a try in a 42–24 victory over Leicester Tigers. His pace, finishing, and prior experience at the top level of both codes made him an instant attacking threat for the Bears.
On the international stage, Rees-Zammit was named in the Wales squad for the 2026 Six Nations by head coach Steve Tandy, signaling a swift return to the national team setup. His combination of Prem Rugby form and international selection positioned him as one of the headline names of the 2025–26 season.
