Frankfurt Galaxy has secured the services of running back Sandro Platzgummer for the 2024 season. Born in Innsbruck, he has been playing American football since he was six years old. In his home country, Platzgummer has been Austrian youth champion nine times and was named the 2015 AFL Youngstar of the Year. After further national titles and twice being crowned European Superfinal Champion and Austrian Bowl MVP 2019 with the Swarco Raiders, he was finally selected for the invited to the NFL International Pathway Program (IPP) in the same year and attracted attention with strong performances there.

From Europe to the world and back

He made it into the practice squad of the New York Giants and spent a total of three years in New York. During this time, he was able to play six pre-season games. After joining the Raiders Tirol in the ELF last season and getting hurt early into the year, Sandro Platzgummer is now back and wants to show his speed with Frankfurt Galaxy.

Sandro with the New York Giants. © Matt Swensen

Working as a doctor and playing football

"I'm grateful that Frankfurt is giving me the chance to start my comeback with the Galaxy. My conversations with Coach Kösling and everyone else in the organization have always been excellent. It will be a special experience for me to work on my career as a doctor while playing at the highest level in Europe. Together as a team, we expect only the best from each other so that we can ultimately reach the grand final in the Veltins Arena," said Platzgummer optimistically.

For Frankfurt, Platzgummer could change the trajectory

"Signing a player with the quality of Sandro Platzgummer is something very special and makes us very proud. But this signing also underlines our ambitions for the coming season. We want to keep attacking," says head coach Thomas Kösling.

A welcome in Frankfurt, a fare-well in Innsbruck

Previously, the Raiders announced that the contract has been dissolved. "We would have loved to see Sandro continue in Silver and Black, but we understand his decision to focus more on his future career. Sandro has had great success with the RAIDERS, and we wish him all the best for the future," said Ulz Däuber, General Manager Football, in a press release. "The doors are always open for Sandro, and we would be delighted if he were to return to the RAIDERS at a later date."