Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have a new toy for the Chiefs' offense.
Former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit is expected to sign Friday with Kansas City, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz. The move comes after Rees-Zammit worked out with Chiefs staff earlier this week.
Rees-Zammit, a winger from Wales, garnered interest from a number of teams in the NFL, including the Jets, Browns and Broncos. But he landed with the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, who are adding him to an offense that already sports Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Rashee Rice and running back Isaiah Pacheco.
A number of rugby players have attempted to make the transition from their sport into the NFL. Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata and Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson are two of the most successful examples of ex-rugby players who made the switch to the gridiron through the NFL's international player pathway.
Here is more to know about Rees-Zammit and his rugby background.
MORE: New kickoff rules are coming to the NFL in 2024
Who is Louis Rees-Zammit?
Rees-Zammit is a rugby winger who is the latest to use the NFL international player pathway to transition to the league.
The newest member of the Chiefs announced in January that he was accepting the invitation to join the pathway program and leaving his English club Gloucester to join the NFL.
"I have had the incredible honor of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I've never taken for granted," Rees-Zammit said. "However, I believe that this is the right time for me to realize another professional goal of playing American football in the U.S. Those opportunities don't come around very often."
Rees-Zammit played a majority of his rugby career with Gloucester Rugby. He first joined the academy in 2018, playing for the English club until 2024. He made 69 appearances during that time, accumulating 190 points.
On the international level, the winger first represented Wales at the U18 level, making the 2019 squad. He was then called up to the senior national team in 2020, where he remained until 2023. He played in 31 matches for Wales' senior team.
He also played for the British and Irish Lions squad in 2021 for the tour of South Africa. At 20 years old and 93 days, Rees-Zammit became the youngest player selected to the squad since 1959.
Louis Rees-Zammit age, height and weight
Rees-Zammit is 23 years old. He was born on Feb. 2, 2001.
He stands 6ft, 3in tall, and he weighs 194 pounds.
Louis Rees-Zammit highlights
Chiefs fans are going to like what they see when they watch the tape on Rees-Zammit.
The Welsh rugby star has compiled quite the highlight reel, even at his young age. As mentioned, the Chiefs are going to give him a chance mostly at running back or wide receiver, but he is expected to be in their potential special teams plans as a returner as well.
Here are some of the highlights of Rees-Zammit's rugby career.
The #Chiefs also plan on giving Louis Rees-Zammit a shot to be involved with kickoffs — which with the new rules makes this a significant signing. pic.twitter.com/HramyqTyaA https://t.co/aMQjwSMsfS
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 27, 2024
