Louis Rees-Zammit begins life with the Kansas City Chiefs as former rugby star practices with defending Super Bowl champions for the first time

Louis Rees-Zammit began life with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday as the former rugby star practiced for the first time with the defending Super Bowl champions.

The 23-year-old Welshman, who landed in Kansas City via the NFL's International Player Pathway program, signed a reported three-year, $2.85million deal with the team in March and was seen at the franchise's rookie minicamp on Saturday.

Wearing the No. 9, Rees-Zammit could be seen practicing alongside other rookies and fellow roster hopefuls in pictures from the session.

In a video posted to X, the running back was also seen taking a handoff from quarterback Spencer Sanders before fielding a punt.

Rees-Zammit is expected to serve as a returner for the Chiefs and it's his play on special teams which could determine whether or not he makes the roster.

His Chiefs deal guarantees him $230,000, which suggests coach Andy Reid may have some plans to keep him.

Nonetheless, new Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce warned him last month to be ready for a 'humbling experience' in Kansas City.

The tight end said about Rees-Zammit on his New Heights podcast: 'It's gonna be a humbling experience at first. It's not easy to just make that jump, they're two completely different games.

'He is an athlete and that's what the Chiefs saw. He's a smart kid, a smart player. So he's gonna be able to pick up the offense eventually.

'But it's gonna be a tough few months for him here while he's getting acclimated to the NFL. We've been doing this since we were kids, so we're gonna have those little instincts that we've built over the years that he's got to catch up with.'

Still, Kelce was hugely complimentary of Rees-Zammit and shared the advice he gave to the former Wales rugby star.

'I really just enjoy the guy's energy so far,' he continued. 'He's super excited about the opportunity that he's been given, knowing that not everybody gets these opportunities.

'He was an absolute star in the European rugby league he was in. So for him to make the jump and try and go from Wales to Kansas City man... it's a pretty ballsy move and a pretty bold move to be making man.'

Kelce also added: 'The biggest advice I gave him was just try not to let it overwhelm you as much as it can, and know that everybody believes that you have the potential to be able to play. So absorb as much as you can, learn as much as you can in the short time you have before the season.'

Kelce will be expected back at the Chiefs' facility by June 11 at the latest for mandatory minicamp.