In one of the biggest moves of the off-season the Hamburg Sea Devils have signed three time Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kitchens. The veteran heads to a new team after three seasons in Berlin. 

Kitchens, 28, comes to Hamburg following three seasons with the Berlin Thunder. Kitchens is by far the league's most accomplished defensive player, with four time All-Star honors and a total of 46 sacks in four seasons. He also holds the All-time record for tackles for a loss. Last season Kitchens once again won the "Defensive Player of the Year" award putting up 16.5 sacks, breaking his own record for sacks in a season. Kitchens also had 25 total tackles for a loss and 52 tackles, reminding ELF fans week in and week out that he is still one of the league's best defensive players. 

Get your new custom jersey: Kitchens at Sea Devils

Kitchens becomes the first American import to join the new head coach Shuan Fatah in Hamburg. The splash signing should be a sign of things to come as the Sea Devils hope to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 under new leadership. 

"Kitchens is a game changer"

Kitchens is excited about his move: "The Hamburg Sea Devils are the perfect opportunity to utilize my strengths as a player and leader. I bring leadership, dominance, hard work and a winning mentality to take the team to the next level. I am especially motivated by the opportunity to take a team that had a disappointing season last year and turn it back into a dominant unit. The coaches I've known for years, the strong homegrown players and especially the incredible fans were key factors in my decision to come to Hamburg."

Hamburg's new head coach Shuan Fatah is aware of the qualities of the four-time all-star team player. "Kyle Kitchens is a game changer. His dominance and understanding of the game make him one of the best defensive ends in the league. He will enhance our play on the field and help the entire team with his professionalism and experience."

Big goals for 2025

General Manager Mark Weitz agrees: "Kyle Kitchens is not only an exceptional player, but also a true leader. His skills on the field speak for themselves, but equally impressive is his attitude and commitment to the team. We are delighted to welcome an athlete of this caliber to the Elbe and are convinced that he will take us to a new level."

Kitchens has clear ideas for the coming season: "My personal goal is to be a dominant defensive player on the field who my teammates can rely on at all times. As a team, we want to be so respected that our opponents say again: 'We have to play against Hamburg'. That's the ambition I bring with me."

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