<\/p>\n
Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit announced his decision to quit rugby and head for the NFL on the day their Six Nations squad was revealed.<\/p>\n
The flying winger, 22, will join the International Player Pathway, which aims to bring stars into the sport from a variety of different backgrounds.<\/p>\n
Rees-Zammit\u2019s decision will come as a blow to Gloucester and Wales, with coach Warren Gatland\u2019s Six Nations squad announcement overshadowed by the news.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cGloucester Rugby has been a huge part of my life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 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\u2019m so grateful for their support.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will always be very proud of my time at Kingsholm and want to particularly thank the incredible fans who make the club so special.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nWelcome to the program \ud83d\udcaa @LouisReesZammit<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/3OvJ4CJmld pic.twitter.com\/e16wbtZYNb<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 16, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cAlso, 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had the incredible honour of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I\u2019ve never taken for granted. <\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, 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\u2019t come around very often.\u201d<\/p>\n
Standing 6ft 3in tall and weighing over 15st, Rees-Zammit will hope his physical tools can set him up for success Stateside.<\/p>\n
The Dragons speedster, who has 14 tries in 31 caps, earned the nickname Rees Lightning thanks to his electrifying pace, which should stand him in good stead.<\/p>\n
But fellow rugby stars Christian Wade, Alex Gray and Christian Scotland-Williamson all failed to cement a spot in the NFL via the same notoriously difficult path.<\/p>\n
Gloucester chief executive officer Alex Brown said: \u201cWe understand the size of the opportunity before Zam and his lifelong ambition to play in the NFL. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhilst 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f \ud835\udc02\ud835\udc00\ud835\udc11\ud835\udc05\ud835\udc00\ud835\udc0d \ud835\udc02\ud835\udc18\ud835\udc0c\ud835\udc11\ud835\udc14 \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc4a Dyma Garfan Cymru ar gyfer y Chwe Gwlad.
#GuinnessM6N<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Welsh Rugby Union \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 16, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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