Sea Devils transfer coup - "Win for the whole league"
ELF
© Ben Queen/USA TODAY SportsA pair of prominent brothers are bridging the gap between American and European football this summer: while Tua Tagovailoa has been one of the NFL's superstars as a playmaker for the Miami Dolphins since 2020, Taulia Tagovailoa is now entering the stage of the European League of Football. The 25-year-old signed a contract with the Hamburg Sea Devils on Thursday.
"Taulia Tagovailoa's move is not only a real sporting coup for the Sea Devils, but also a strong sign for the development of the ELF. The fact that a quarterback with this college background has chosen our league shows how far we have come in terms of international recognition. The ELF is also on the radar in North America. This is a win for the entire league, for all teams, players and fans in Europe," says Patrick Esume, Commissioner of the European League of Football.
"Exceptional player"
Tagovailoa is considered one of the most successful college quarterbacks of recent years. After one season for the University of Alabama, he played four years for the Maryland Terrapins. There he achieved over 11,000 passing yards, making him one of the most successful passers in the history of the Big Ten Conference. Most recently, he played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
"With Taulia Tagovailoa, we were able to bring an exceptional player to Hamburg and the ELF who will make our team better. His experience, leadership qualities and athletic success fit perfectly with our vision. We look forward to a successful season with him as the heart of our offense," said Mark Waitz, General Manager of the Sea Devils.
"Competing with the best players in Europe"
"I am really excited about this opportunity to play football for the Hamburg Sea Devils. I'm looking forward to competing with the best players in Europe and giving the team everything I've got," assures Taulia Tagovailoa, who will celebrate his debut for the Sea Devils in the ELF on May 31 in Bremen's Weserstadion against title contenders Stuttgart Surge.
The start to the fifth season of the "Champions League" of European football was doubly bitter for the Hamburg Sea Devils. Quarterback Micah Leon suffered a hand injury during the game against the Madrid Bravos (12:13) and had to be placed on the Injured Reserve list. Moritz Maack took over for the US playmaker, but was unable to prevent the Spaniards from turning the game around.