NFL: Former Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs

Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a contract with two-time defending Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 23-year-old, one of the best wingers in rugby, announced in January that he was leaving the Welsh national team to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL. He’s projected as a returner/running back/wide receiver.

Rees-Zammit is one of 15 athletes from eight countries participating in the NFL International Player Pathway programme. The prospects have spent 10 weeks training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, getting a crash course in practising the fundamentals of American football and learning the intricacies of a game most have never played.

Rees-Zammit ran an official time of 4.43 in the 40-yard (37m) dash last week when the international players participated in the University of South Florida’s pro day. He drew a lot of attention from a crowd that included 51 scouts from 31 teams.

Louis Rees-Zammit playing for Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup but now he he hopes to become a star of the NFL. Photo / AP

“A bit disappointed in my 40,” Rees-Zammit told the AP afterwards “Last week, I was getting some really good times. I was getting low 4.3s, high 4.2s. So it is what it is. It’s just what happens on the day. But I know I can run that fast. I’m not trying to make excuses or anything, but I know what I can do and I’m happy with the day and how the day went.”

Rees-Zammit, whose favorite NFL player growing up was three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson, hopes to play like 49ers stars Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey.

“I watched a lot of footage of Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, players like that who’ve got that versatility because I want to be a player that can play multiple positions and I fully believe I can, so being able to play out of the backfield, being able to line up as a receiver, in the slot, wideout,” Rees-Zammit said last week. “I’ve learned a lot in the past eight weeks and I’m pretty excited to see what will happen.”

He’ll get an opportunity to catch passes from three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and learn from coach Andy Reid. The NFL’s new kickoff rule that makes returners more relevant gives Rees-Zammit a chance to make the team as a specialist.

For the first time this season, each team will have a 17th roster spot on the practice squad specifically available for an international player. Teams also are permitted to promote an international practice squad player to the active roster a maximum of three times throughout the season – increasing opportunities for players to develop and get a chance to play.

Teams will also receive one training camp roster exemption for a qualifying international player.