Wales star quits rugby in bombshell phone call to chase lifelong NFL 'dream'
Wales and British and Irish Lions wing Louis Rees-Zammit has quit rugby union with immediate effect to "pursue his dream" of a career in the NFL.
Premiership club Gloucester made the announcement, while the 22-year-old posted on his social media - just moments before Wales head coach Warren Gatland prepared to unveil his squad for the Six Nations.
Rees-Zammit had been one of the hottest properties in world rugby, excelling for Gloucester, Wales and the Lions through his try-scoring prowess and thrilling attacking ability. He had already been capped 32 times by his country. He told Gatland of his bombshell decision on Tuesday, an hour before the Welsh boss was due to sit down with the media to announce his squad for the upcoming tournament.
He will leave the UK for Florida this week to begin the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP). Here's what he, Gloucester and Wales boss Gatland have had to say on his shocking decision.
Rees-Zammit statement
"I would like to take this opportunity to announce a significant career decision that I have taken after careful consideration. In a move that I am extremely excited about, I can confirm that I will be joining the NFL's International Player Pathway program in pursuit of earning a spot on an NFL roster in the United States for 2024.
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"Opting to step away from international rugby on the eve of the Six Nations has been a painstaking decision, but I am extremely excited to take up a once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue a new challenge. My immense gratitude also goes to Gloucester Rugby - a club that is extremely close to my heart - and particularly George Skivington and Alex Brown, for allowing me to head in a different direction over the next few weeks.
"Although this decision may come as a surprise, I would like to reiterate that this does not necessarily mean I am retiring from rugby, but rather at this age and stage of my life, I am excited to explore a unique challenge that has the potential to diversify my sill set.
“Gloucester Rugby has been a huge part of my life. From the start at Hartpury College and my first professional rugby contract with Gloucester in 2020, to my Wales and Lions caps, the club has been central to my development as a player, and I am so grateful for their support. Iwill always be very proud of my time at Kingsholm, and want to particularly thank the incredible fans who make the club so special.
“Also, to my team-mates, to George Skivington and Alex Brown, thank you for giving me such special memories and for supporting this next stage of my career. I have had the incredible honour of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I’ve never taken for granted.
“However, I believe that this is the right time for me to realise another professional goal of playing American football in the US. Those opportunities don’t come around very often.
"My best wishes go out to Wales for the upcoming Six Nations and year ahead, while I will continue to closely follow the continued progress of Gloucester from afar. To all my followers, fans and family, I thank you for your support and look forward to having your backing throughout this next chapter."
Louis Rees-Zammit of Wales celebrates over Fiji during the Rugby World Cup in 2023 (Getty Images)Gloucester statement
“Gloucester Rugby have agreed to release winger Louis Rees-Zammit with immediate effect to enable the 22-year-old to pursue his dream of playing in the National Football League (NFL).
“The Welsh international has accepted an invitation to join the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) which provides elite athletes from around the world with an opportunity to earn a place on an NFL roster."
Gloucester CEO Alex Brown said: "We understand the size of the opportunity before Zam and his lifelong ambition to play in the NFL.
"Whilst we are naturally sad to see him leave, ultimately, we are not able to dissuade him from taking an opportunity of this magnitude with the NFL.
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“We remain very proud of the role Gloucester Rugby has played in helping to develop him into the world class player he has become, and we wish him the very best in the US. He will always be welcome at Kingsholm.”
Warren Gatland, Head Coach of WalesWarren Gatland
"I learned it about an hour ago. Spoke to Louis about half an hour ago. It’s a little bit of a shock. Gloucester had contacted about 12. Things have happened pretty quickly. Louis said he had an approach on Sunday.
It’s something he’s always dreamed of. The paperwork has been agreed and signed and Gloucester have agreed to release him. He rang me to give me that information, thank me for his time at the World Cup. He’s 22, he’s always dreamed of playing in the NFL. He feels if he doesn’t take that opportunity now, it might not come up. I wished him all the best. I asked him what are his next steps if it doesn’t work out, he said he’d come back.
"There’s never a dull moment in Welsh rugby. Gloucester are in exactly the same boat as us. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster in the last couple of hours. From my point of view, I want to wish Louis all the best. I honestly hope it all works out for him.
"He’s made that decision. I want to wish him all the best, like I would with all players and coaches."
"Sometimes they get chances to move on. I’ve always been supportive of that. If that’s been a dream of his, trying to make it in that environment, he’ll always regret it if he doesn’t take it.”
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