Louis Rees-Zammit is set to sign for Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs on a £700,000 training deal – with ex-Wales wing looking to be a permanent team-mate of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
Louis Rees-Zammit is set for a stunning move to Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs as the former Wales star inches closer to his NFL dream.
Rees-Zammit shocked the rugby world in January when he dramatically quit the sport to pursue a new career in the USA and take up a place on the NFL international player pathway (IPP).
After impressing NFL scouts on the IPP, the 23-year-old held contract meetings with a number of teams but Mail Sport understands Rees-Zammit and the Chiefs have agreed terms.
While the final contract details are still being ironed out, Rees-Zammit is expected to sign on Friday and join the Chiefs who have superstars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on their roster.
Rees-Zammit will pen a training contract with the Kansas-based side as he looks to make it into the team’s party for the new NFL season in the running back and wide receiver positions.
Former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit is set to sign with Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs
The Welshman is set to become teammates with Travis Kelce at the Super Bowl winners
Rees-Zammit impressed NFL scouts at the International Player Pathway (IPP) pro day
Rees-Zammit visited a number of NFL franchises – including the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos – after standing out on the IPP with his pace and power.
Many doubted he would make the grade in a new sport when he sensationally left rugby behind, but his imminent signing with the champion Chiefs is a remarkable achievement.
The Chiefs have won three of the last five Super Bowl titles. Rees-Zammit will join them at a summer camp before head coach Andy Reid and his assistants cut the squad down to a 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season.
Rees-Zammit’s training contract with the Chiefs is understood to be worth in the region of £700,000. He still has some work to do to gain a full-time deal but he has already exceeded expectations after admitting he’d never played American football before joining the IPP.
Rees-Zammit was the youngest player on the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021 and scored 14 tries in 42 Tests for Wales. Rees-Zammit’s move to sports agency Roc Nation Sports – which was founded by US rapper Jay-Z – was confirmed earlier this week.
He joined superstar footballers Kevin de Bruyne, Vinicius Junior and Gabriel Martinelli and a host of other American athletes on the books of Roc Nation Sports.
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Rugby stars Siya Kolisi, Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge and Marcus Smith are also represented by the Roc Nation Sports International division of the company, which is run by Michael Yormark.
Kimberly Miale, NFL agent from Roc Nation Sports, said: ‘Roc Nation is thrilled to represent Louis. ‘He’s a dynamic athlete with a compelling story. We are honoured to be part of Louis’ journey to achieve his dream of playing in the NFL after already establishing an illustrious rugby career.
‘I am personally excited to work with Louis on this endeavour. With his athleticism, size, speed and work ethic, the sky is the limit.‘I look forward to watching Louis join an NFL roster and thrive throughout this upcoming season.’
