Linebacker Florian Fehrle returns from retirement and signs with the Hamburg Sea Devils? The reason is a special promise. 

The 32-year-old played for the Hannover Grizzlies for eleven years. In 2021, he moved to the Hildesheim Invaders. This is where the Homegrown met the current Sea Devils Head Coach Shuan Fatah for the first time. 

"It's a great and unique opportunity for me to play for coach Shuan Fatah in the ELF, after all," says Fehrle. He adds: "Especially for the traditional club of the Hamburg Sea Devils and the great players who are part of the team this year. I wanted to jump on this wave - no doubt about it."

Reunion with Fatah

In 2021, Coach Fatah was working on a new football team, the German Knights. He also wanted to recruit Fehrle to join them at the time. However, the Knights never played a single game. 

After the team was terminated, Fehlre moved to the NewYorker Lions in the German Football League in search of new sporting challenges. Here he immediately played a leading starter role.

Fehrle's last career stop for the time being was with the Hannover Grizzlies. He announced the end of his career in 2024. However, he is now abandoning this idea in order to experience a season in the European League of Football in Hamburg. 

A promise for Kyle Kitchens

A big factor in his decision is the top signing of three-time ELF Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kitchens. Fehrle also got to know Kitchens back in 2021 with the Hildesheim Invaders.

At the time, he made a promise to Kitchens: if he ever moved back to the area, Fehrle would come out of retirement to be with him. Florian Fehrle has now kept this promise with his move to the Hamburg Sea Devils.

Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!