Exit door.

Gloucester have announced that Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit has been released from his contract immediately to join the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP).

The 22-year-old was expected to be a part of Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad when it is named later this month but he will now leave the sport with immediate effect in a stunning move for the winger.

Rees-Zammit said he simply couldn’t turn down the opportunity in a statement released this afternoon.

“Gloucester Rugby has been a huge part of my life,” Rees-Zammit said.

“From 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’m so grateful for their support.

“I will always be very proud of my time at Kingsholm and want to particularly thank the incredible fans who make the Club so special. Also, to my teammates, to George Skivington and Alex Brown, thank you for giving me such special memories and for supporting this next stage of my career.

“I have had the incredible honour of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I’ve never taken for granted. However, 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’t come around very often.”