Vienna Vikings welcome back Florian Bierbaumer

It's a monster signing nine days before the start of the new European League of Football season: Star tight end Florian Bierbaumer remains a Vienna Viking. "It was clear to me that if I played in Europe, it would only be for Vienna," says Bierbaumer.

Vienna or NFL - nothing inbetween

After 2022 and 2023, the 25-year-old Styrian-born player has also signed with the Viennese franchise for the current ELF season. "I'm ready for the season. The motto is 'tear it up'," smiles the almost two-meter tall athlete and adds: "Yes, of course, there's a little tear in my eye that it hasn't worked out with an IPPP spot with one of the NFL franchises so far. But there are still places open, so we'll have to wait and see. In any case, I'm looking forward to being a Viking again and being in Vienna. There wasn't really an option for me. It was clear to me that if it didn't work out overseas and I played in Europe, then only in Vienna."

Making his mark in the ELF

Bierbaumer made his mark on the league right from the start. In 2022, he got off to a flying start with three brilliant games before an injury brought an early end to a record-breaking season. He continued seamlessly in the previous year and was unstoppable in many games. Spectacular catches and powerful yards after catch in the end zone enchanted fans and the media - including in the USA, where he ended up in an episode of 'You Got Mossed' on ESPN. By the end of the 2023 ELF season, Bierbaumer was an ELF All-Star as the league's best tight end, was part of the ELF Top 10 player list and also won the IFAF European Championship with Team Austria before being invited to the NFL International Combine and then also participating in the 10-week International Player Pathway training program in Florida.

Giant Florian Bierbaumer is showing off his skills. © Hannes Jirgal

"Lost brothers" in the Vikings' offense

Nonetheless, an NFL team could call at any time, which is also reflected in the contract, as the Vikings announced. "Flo has an opt-out clause regarding the NFL. We're all keeping our fingers crossed that it works out for his personal dream. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't overjoyed to have him with us. He's an exceptional homegrown player and an offensive superweapon," said head coach Chris Calaycay, who is delighted with the signing of Bierbaumer.

Bierbaumer has already started training with the new Vikings quarterback Ben Holmes. "It feels like Bierbaumer and I are long lost brothers, as if we are playing with each other since we were kids," says Holmes, who now has another huge target at his disposal. The season for the Vikings starts on May 25 with an away game in Hungary before the eagerly awaited home opener on June 1, 2024 at the Generali-Arena in Vienna.