Louis Rees-Zammit hits Olympic-level 100m sprint time ahead of rugby return

The 24-year-old flyer has agreed an immediate switch to Ashton Gate, linking up with Pat Lam’s side after an 18-month stint in the NFL.

The Wales international and British & Irish Lion initially signed for the Kansas City Chiefs before a move to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, after his American adventure, he’s set to light up the Gallagher Premiership once again.

Rees-Zammit made his name at Gloucester, where he bagged 42 tries in 77 appearances, before crossing the Atlantic in 2024. At Test level, he has 14 tries in 32 appearances for Wales and was a standout pick on the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa.

Director of Rugby Pat Lam couldn’t hide his delight at pulling off one of the biggest signings of the season.

“Louis is a world-class player, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to rugby union and to the Bears this season,” Lam said.

“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.”

Fans have long been obsessed with just how fast Rees-Zammit really is — and the stats don’t disappoint.

The Welsh flyer clocked an incredible 10.44 seconds over 100 metres, showing why he is one of the most feared attacking weapons in the game.

With his pace, footwork and finishing ability, Bristol fans can expect fireworks whenever he gets the ball in space.

The former Wales flyer may have left for the NFL pathway single, but he’s returning with a new partner in tow. The 23-year-old is dating TikTok star Drew Knotts, and the pair have been quietly seeing each other for several months.

Knotts, 26, went public with their relationship in April, sharing a series of snaps of the couple looking loved-up. Rees-Zammit even reposted the pics to his own Instagram story with a heart emoji — subtle, but fans noticed.

The couple recently made a red carpet appearance at the 51st Annual Strawberry Ball (yes, that’s a real thing) in Florida, before the winger returned to the States for the final stages of his NFL experience.

But with the NFL dream now on hold, Rees-Zammit is back on familiar turf after signing a headline-making deal with Bristol Bears — a move Knotts herself celebrated on social media.

The pair reportedly spent time together in Dubai back in February, where they were spotted sandboarding and enjoying a romantic dinner.

It might not have been the touchdown Rees-Zammit dreamed of across the pond, but he’s returning to rugby with a big contract, a big future — and a big romance to boot.

Rees-Zammit’s personal life has also been a hot topic, featuring relationships with high-profile personalities, from a Premier League legend’s daughter to a famous YouTuber and a notable model/DJ.

Rees-Zammit's personal life has also been a hot topic, featuring relationships with high-profile personalities, from a Premier League legend's daughter to a famous YouTuber and a notable model/DJ.

In December 2019, before his international debut for Wales, Rees-Zammit posted a photo of himself playing for Gloucester. Alicia Scholes, daughter of football legend Paul Scholes, humorously suggested an England debut was imminent, despite Rees-Zammit’s Welsh roots. He firmly replied, "Wales*".

In a BBC interview, Rees-Zammit spoke about his past relationship with Alicia, a professional netball player for London Pulse. He revealed the light-hearted attempts by her father to sway him towards England, which he steadfastly resisted.

Alicia and her father Paul found themselves in the spotlight in 2021 due to a viral video that led to playful banter among rival supporters.

Following his NFL trial day, Rees-Zammit ended his relationship with influencer Saffron Barker. The couple had gone public after the Rugby World Cup, but their relationship faced challenges with his move to the US.

Saffron addressed the breakup on social media, expressing gratitude for the support from her fans and hinting at a positive future.

She wrote to her fans: "Hi everyone. I have so much exciting news to update you on, and I promise to keep you all posted on that."

"For now though I wanted to address some of the questions re my relationship. Whilst I won't be going into any detail, I am no longer in a relationship. I am fully focused on my well-being, wonderful family, & career," she further commented. Saffron continued in the recent post:

"I want to thank all of the incredible people who have sent me messages of love & strength over the past few weeks. I have read every single one & I can't tell you how much it has meant to me."

Saffron - who has more than two million subscribers on her YouTube channel - concluded by writing: "I know good things come to good people so I hold onto the hope that 2024 is going to be a positive year for me. Lots of love."

Recently single, Rees-Zammit has been spotted with Sports Illustrated model and TikTok sensation Xandra Pohl. The pair were seen enjoying a day out at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, sparking rumors of a new romance.

Xandra, a successful DJ who has played at high-profile venues including Ushuaia Ibiza, is set to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer.

Alongside his new relationship, Rees-Zammit has also been embracing the Kansas City lifestyle, attending Travis Kelce's 'Kelce Jam' festival and sporting a new ear piercing.

As Louis Rees-Zammit continues to make waves both on and off the field, his journey in the NFL is one to watch closely.