- Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit has quit rugby to become an NFL player
- His decision has come as a shock less than three weeks before the Six Nations
- His Strictly Come Dancing girlfriend Saffron Barker is proud of his decision
Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has announced a shock career move as the 22-year-old has been released by Gloucester with immediate effect to bid for a contract in the NFL.
There had been rumours that the turbo-charged Lion might be heading to France at the end of this season, but there had been no indication that he was planning to cross the Atlantic for a new sporting adventure in the States. When the news broke, it caused utter disbelief in British and Irish rugby circles, but his Strictly Come Dancing girlfriend Saffron Barker posted on Instagram: ‘So proud of you’.
Rees-Zammit explained a decision, which he had made after ‘careful consideration’, saying: ‘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.
‘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.
‘Although this decision may come as a surprise, I would like to reiterate that this does not necessarily mean that I am retiring from rugby.
Louis Rees-Zammit (pictured) has quit rugby to become an NFL player
Rees-Zammit has the full support of his Strictly Come Dancing girlfriend Saffron Barker (right) following his shock decision
Barker posted on Instagram ‘so proud of you’ after he confirmed the news on Tuesday
Rees-Zammit confirmed he had made his decision following ‘careful consideration’
‘Rather, at this age and stage of my life, I am excited to a unique challenge which has the potential to diversify my skill-set.
‘My best wishes go out to Wales for the up-coming Six Nations and year ahead, while I will continue to 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 through this next chapter.’
This remarkable move by Rees-Zammit is highly unusual but by no means unprecedented, as a handful of other rugby players from these shores have gravitated to the NFL in recent years.
Most famously, Wasps and England wing Christian Wade earned a training squad place with the Buffalo Bills only for injury to prevent him from carrying on to reach the NFL proper.
Rees-Zammit represented Wales at last year’s World Cup in France where Warren Gatland’s men were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Argentina
