Louis Rees Zammit has joined Premiership side Bristol Bears as he marks his return to rugby union.
The 24 year-old, who won 32 caps for Wales, will link up with the Bears squad for training this weekend ahead of their opening Prem Rugby game against Leicester at the end of September.
Rees Zammit says he's returning to the game "bigger and faster" since leaving Gloucester in January 2024.
"Bristol Bears was the obvious choice for me", he said. "The style of rugby the team play - all about entertaining the fans and growing the game - perfectly aligns to how I want to play and how I express myself on and off the field."
"I want to get fans out of their seats, create exciting moments and help people fall in the love with the game. I’m excited to return to rugby at a club that demands those values."
"I’m looking forward to working with my teammates, Pat Lam and the coaches and all the backroom team to bring success to the Bears."
Rees Zammit's initial departure from rugby sent shockwaves through Welsh rugby - with his announcement coming on the eve of what turned out to be a Six Nations wooden spoon for Wales, under then head coach Warren Gatland.
After impresssing on the NFL's international player pathway, he soon joined then-champions Kansas City Chiefs, only to be cut from their roster.
A move to Florida franchise Jacksonville Jaguars led to further disappointment with Rees Zammit ultimately unable to fulfill his dream of making a regular season debut.
The would-be wide receiver joins a Prem Rugby side who earned a respectable top-four finish last season - including a record winning streak of 10 games - and reached the play-off semi finals, only to lose to eventual champions and fierce Westcountry rivals Bath.
Pat Lam, the Bears' director of rugby, said: "Louis is a world-class player, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to rugby union and to the Bears this season."
"Although we have a small squad, we’ve been building quality depth and experience across the team, bringing in players who can cover multiple positions to help us take that next step in the PREM and in Europe."
"Louis offers exactly that to our dynamic back three, with his ability and desire to play both full back and wing for the Bears. He has the drive and ambition to be one of the best back-three players in the world, and his goals align perfectly with our ambitions as a club."
“At just 24 years old, we know the athlete and competitor he is. The way we play and the way he wants to play fit seamlessly together, and we’re looking forward to working with him when he joins the group tomorrow.”
Rees-Zammit's latest move will have been buoyed by Steve Tandy hinting at an international comeback this Autumn when he takes charge of Wales for the first time.
The new head coach worked alongside Rees Zammit on the Lions tour of South Africa in 2021 - and although surprised by his return to rugby, Tandy is backing the winger to be in contention when they take on Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in Cardiff this November.
As for the man himself, Rees Zammit admits it's been "a whirlwind week but a very exciting one" as seeks to relaunch his rugby career.
“It’s just about being confident, being confident in my ability to change games and having an effect on the defence,” he said. "It’s very exciting, you can tell from the smile on my face."
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