After an impressive regular season, the Vikings were unable to win the title in the final against Rhein Fire. They aim to change that next season. To achieve this, the team management is already working on the roster for the upcoming season.

The contracts of quarterback Ben Holmes and Offensive Rookie of the Year Noah Touré have already been extended. Now another important player follows.

Starting running back Karri Pajarinen will stay with the Viking for another season.  The Finn proved to be an absolute top performer again and again. Pajarinen ran for 1123 yards and 13 touchdowns last regular season. That makes the Finn statistically the second-best rusher in the league. Only MVP Glen Toonga was better in terms of numbers. In addition, Pajarinen recorded 146 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. In the playoffs, he gained another 254 rushing and 41 receiving yards. With this season performance, he even set a new franchise record and was the first player in Vienna to achieve a +1000 yards rushing season.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to play my third season with the Vikings, and I am ready to go 1-0 again in 20205. I am motivated to get better and about to start my off-season program soon," Pajarinen said after signing.

Pajarinen joined the Vikings in 2023 from the Pottsdam Royals. In his first season, he ran for 560 yards and four touchdowns on 115 attempts.  

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