Defensive lineman Leander Strathmann joins the Stuttgart Surge in the ELF. The Hamburg native signed with the vice champion and will be on Jordan Neuman's roster in 2024. In his early years, Strathmann played for the Hamburg Pioneers (2013 to 2017) and the Hamburg Blue Devils (2016 to 2018). In 2017, Strathmann was given the opportunity to go to Kents Hill School (Maine) through the "Gridiron Imports" placement network, which was founded by former NFL pro Björn Werner and aims to pave the way to the United States for European football players with potential.

From Germany to the College ranks

He played one year for the Kents Hill Huskies and was named the Evergreen League's Lineman of the Year. The Kents Hill School also honored him with the 2017 Sportsmanship Award, and he won the bronze medal with Germany at the European Junior Championships that year. In 2018 he moved to New Mexico to attend the New Mexico Military Institute Junior College and played there until 2020. He spent the last few years in Canada, where he studied at Concordia University in Montreal from 2021 until recently, and played as a defensive end for the Concordia Stingers.

Returning to Germany

After seven years of American football, Leander Strathmann is now returning to Germany to play for the Stuttgart Surge: "It means a lot to me to play again in Germany, where it all started! So when the talks with the Surge started, there was no debate for me: I can't wait to play for this team! Let's get it!" he said.