Chiefs sign former Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit: reports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs will have an interesting player join the team ahead of the 2024 season.

Former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a contract with the Chiefs and will be slotted to perform at running back, wide receiver, and return specialist according to Bleacher Report and ESPN reports.

The 23-year-old was a wing and full-back for the Welsh national team and Gloucester Rugby in Premiership Rugby, the highest level of rugby in England. He scored nine tries (basically a touchdown in rugby worth five points) in 2023 and totaled 31 Test appearances for Wales scoring 14 tries for his homeland.

At 6'3, 195 pounds, Rees-Zammit stepped away from rugby in January to join the NFL's International Player Pathway program. He ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, 9'7" broad jump, and 29-inch vertical jump at the IPP's pro day last week.

Lees-Zammit visited a handful of teams like the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos before agreeing to contract terms with the Chiefs.

This season is the first time that every NFL team will have a 17th roster spot on the practice squad specifically for an international player. Teams can also elevate an international practice squad player to the active roster a maximum of three times throughout the season.

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

The NFL's International Player Pathway program began in 2017 with Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata (Australia), Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada (England), and Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (Germany) being the biggest success stories.

Offensive tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick was slotted in the Chiefs' IPP roster spot in 2023 and did not appear in any games.