Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs have officially signed Louis Rees-Zammit in a deal that includes a bunch of perks for the former Welsh rugby star.
Rees-Zammit made the surprise decision to quit rugby union earlier this year to join the NFL's International Player Pathway programme.
The programme has led to 37 players being signed by NFL teams with Jordan Mailata arguably the standout graduate.
Rees-Zammit had previously won more than two dozen caps for Wales and appeared at last year's Rugby World Cup.
But he is one step closer to making the move into the NFL after landing a contract with the Chiefs on a reported three-year deal.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapaport, the deal also includes 'some guaranteed money' as well as a signing bonus.
A number of former rugby union stars have crossed the Atlantic in the past to try and crack it in the NFL.
Few players have succeeded in making the transition with the likes of Christian Wade and Alex Gray failing to make an active roster with the teams they signed for.
Rees-Zammit will be hoping to break that trend with Kansas City having admitted recently that he was always thinking of making the switch one day.
"It's always been on my mind," Rees-Zammit the Associated Press.
"My dad has been a massive role model to me because he brought me up loving the sport.
"He played the sport when he was younger so it's quite easy to love the game because I've been watching it from such a young age.
"So, it's always been in the back of my head, but it's just amazing to finally do it now."
The 23-year-old was trying out as a running back/ wide receiver/ returner at the pro day earlier this month with a bunch of scouts in attendance to watch him in action.
Already dubbed 'Rees-Lightning' due to his quick 40-yard dash time, the Welshman was happy with how he performed on the tryout day.
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“I’m pretty happy with how I ran my routes, just about how fluid I could be, how I could show off my change of direction, how I can get in and out of breaks,” he said.
“I think there are a lot of transferable skills. In rugby, you’re always trying to get your hands on the ball as much as often and you’re always trying to break defenses, look for spaces, be aware.
“Catching kickoffs, catch and kick receipts, punt receipts, there’s a lot of transferable skills, and I think running back shows up probably best, getting the ball in my hand early, being able to pick a gap, being able to be aware of the surroundings.”
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Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs have officially signed Louis Rees-Zammit in a deal that includes a bunch of perks for the former Welsh rugby star.
Rees-Zammit made the surprise decision to quit rugby union earlier this year to join the NFL's International Player Pathway programme.
The programme has led to 37 players being signed by NFL teams with Jordan Mailata arguably the standout graduate.
Rees-Zammit had previously won more than two dozen caps for Wales and appeared at last year's Rugby World Cup.
But he is one step closer to making the move into the NFL after landing a contract with the Chiefs on a reported three-year deal.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapaport, the deal also includes 'some guaranteed money' as well as a signing bonus.
A number of former rugby union stars have crossed the Atlantic in the past to try and crack it in the NFL.
Few players have succeeded in making the transition with the likes of Christian Wade and Alex Gray failing to make an active roster with the teams they signed for.
Rees-Zammit will be hoping to break that trend with Kansas City having admitted recently that he was always thinking of making the switch one day.
"It's always been on my mind," Rees-Zammit the Associated Press.
"My dad has been a massive role model to me because he brought me up loving the sport.
"He played the sport when he was younger so it's quite easy to love the game because I've been watching it from such a young age.
"So, it's always been in the back of my head, but it's just amazing to finally do it now."
The 23-year-old was trying out as a running back/ wide receiver/ returner at the pro day earlier this month with a bunch of scouts in attendance to watch him in action.
Already dubbed 'Rees-Lightning' due to his quick 40-yard dash time, the Welshman was happy with how he performed on the tryout day.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
- Andy Murray gives 'very disappointing' injury update as star confirmed to miss tournaments
- Luke Littler missing darts tournament 'a blessing in disguise' as star to reap rewards
- Luke Littler stokes rivalry with darts star as teen makes honest admission after Premier League win
“I’m pretty happy with how I ran my routes, just about how fluid I could be, how I could show off my change of direction, how I can get in and out of breaks,” he said.
“I think there are a lot of transferable skills. In rugby, you’re always trying to get your hands on the ball as much as often and you’re always trying to break defenses, look for spaces, be aware.
“Catching kickoffs, catch and kick receipts, punt receipts, there’s a lot of transferable skills, and I think running back shows up probably best, getting the ball in my hand early, being able to pick a gap, being able to be aware of the surroundings.”
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