Beanpole ex-Premier League striker, 42, comes out of retirement for shock sport switch to Vikings American football team
Former Premier League striker Stefan Maierhofer has swapped goals for gridirons ... by becoming an American football star.
The 6ft 7ins
Advertisement
2
Ex-Premier League ace Stefan Maierhofer has crossed over to American football
2
Maierhofer played for the likes of Wolves, Bayern Munich and Millwall
He joined Bristol City on loan in 2010, and four years later had a brief stint with their Championship rivals
Former
But the 42-year-old has now switched sports by joining the Vienna Vikings American football club.
They compete in the European League of Football, and won the title in 2022.
Advertisement
Read More on Football
Maierhofer said: "I'm making my sporting comeback as a kicker in American football, and I'm going to play for Vienna Vikings in 2025.
"From my first minute at the club I was clear in my mind that I wanted to join them. Everyone from the owner down to the equipment manager speaks with one voice.
"Everything is all about success and respect, and that impressed me. I trained with the former NFL kicker, Giorgio Tavecchio, and worked on perfecting my technique.
"I want to reach the 2025 final with the Vikings, and play in front of 50,000 American football fans."
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Latest
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay said: "Stefan is a very tall man, extremely popular, and with a unique body language.
"The transition from kicking a soccer ball to kicking a football is tough, but he is going tremendously well."
Patrick Mahomes says 'cut the cameras' in emotional locker room scenes as new K ansas City Chiefs doc trailer is released
Club owner Robin Lumsden added: "A number of prominent footballers wanted to play for us, and many found the trials difficult.
Advertisement
"But it became clear very quickly that Stefan was the right man for us. He embodies our fighting mentality - he is highly professional and competitive."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
34 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Weekend fixtures confirmed as Kildare get Newbridge double header
The revamped Cedral St Conleth's Park will host a Kildare double header on Saturday. Fresh from their superb Joe McDonagh Cup final win over Laois, the Kildare hurlers are back in action six days later as they face Dublin in the All-Ireland preliminary hurling quarter-final in Newbridge, which, at the very least, will act as a useful barometer for manager Brian Dowling ahead of their return to the Leinster SHC in 2026. The game will have a 4pm throw-in and will be followed by the Kildare footballers' Tailteann Cup quarter-final against Offaly, which gets underway at 6.30pm. It will be the third meeting of the counties this year after they were paired together in this morning's draw, with Offaly beating Kildare in round six of the League and again in the Division Three final at Croke Park. There's another repeat of a League final with Wexford travelling to Limerick, who beat them in the Division Four decider. That quarter-final will take place on Sunday at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. The other two quarter-finals see Wicklow entertain Westmeath in Aughrim, also on Sunday afternoon, with Fermanagh at home to Sligo on Saturday. The Laois-Tipperary hurling preliminary quarter-final will be played on Saturday afternoon at Laois Hire O'Moore Park at 1.45pm as O'Moore boss Tommy Fitzgerald faces the difficult task of getting his players up for a game against top tier opposition just days after losing a season-defining game. Tailteann Cup quarter-finals Saturday, June 14 Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 5pm. Kildare v Offaly, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 6.30pm. Sunday, June 15 Wicklow v Westmeath, Echelon Park, 1.15pm. Limerick v Wexford, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm. All-Ireland hurling preliminary quarter-finals Laois v Tipperary, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm. Kildare v Dublin, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4pm.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Michail Antonio set to quit West Ham after horror car crash despite being offered new contract amid ‘unique' situation
MICHAIL ANTONIO is heading towards the exit door at West Ham despite being offered a new deal. The Hammers striker, 35, has not played since his Advertisement 4 Michail Antonio is set to leave West Ham this summer Credit: PA Antonio's current deal at the London Stadium expires on June 30 and the club announced today that terms on a new deal are yet to be agreed. The Jamaica international has been offered a short-term deal with a far lower base salary than his current £90,000-a-week contract. Significant bonuses are included for any appearances Antonio would make next season. However, Advertisement READ MORE ON WEST HAM The club have done all they can to support his recovery, but will not be improving upon their offer and have indicated they would be pleased for Antonio should he secure better terms from another club. Spending money is tight at the London Stadium this summer and there is a focus on bringing the average age of Antonio, who is confident he will be able to play again, had urged Potter to include him in a Premier League squad towards the end of the season but it was thought too big of a risk. The striker is now hoping to make his first appearance since the December car crash with Jamaica at this summer's Gold Cup, which starts next week. Advertisement Most read in Football Impressive performances with Jamaica could spark interest from other clubs, which is limited at this stage. Antonio has already branched out to prepare for life after football, working with the BBC's Morning Live and as a pundit for TNT Sports during their coverage of the Conference League final. 'I almost wasn't there for my kids' – Michail Antonio 'happy' to have 'another chance at life' after horror car crash 4 Antonio shared some footage of his recovery on social media Credit: instagram/@michailantonio 4 The striker is pushing to make a return following his car crash Credit: instagram/@michailantonio Advertisement Announcing their retained list, the Hammers said in a statement: "Given Michail Antonio's unique situation, following his serious road traffic accident in December 2024, there will be no formal decision and announcement on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate. "However, as his current contract is also due to expire on 30 June, for the purposes of the Premier League Retained List procedure at the end of the 2024/25 season, Michail will be listed as a free transfer. "As a long-serving, highly-respected player, and a much-loved member of the West Ham family, the club's absolute priority at this time is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level." Former West Ham captain Kurt Zouma, who spent last season on loan at Saudi Pro League club Al-Orobah FC, will also formally depart with his contract ending this month. Advertisement 4 Antonio recently made a return to the training pitch Credit: instagram/@michailantonio
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Dara O'Shea issues update on club future amid Premier League interest as he details Kieran McKenna talks
IRELAND defender Dara O'Shea is preparing for the Championship — even though he knows he is Premier League class. SunSport revealed last week there is interest from Ipswich do not want to lose him a year after And the Tractor Boys are believed to be ready to offer him an improved contract with no relegation release clause. O'Shea has already spoken to Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna about going back to the Prem. Read more on Irish football He said: 'I'm not going to think about it until the season ends and I've got one more game to focus on and then I can sit down and relax. 'But I'm fully committed to Ipswich at the moment. "I've got another four years there and I want to get the club back into the Premier League. 'I'm ambitious as a player. I want to be playing in the Premier League but I know it's not as easy as that. Most read in Football 'Whatever happens in football happens for a reason. You have a journey and you've got to stick to that sometimes. 'I feel like I'm well capable of playing in the Premier League and competing. England's biggest divers of the season crowned... as shocking record revealed "Obviously it's hard when you get relegated and I've got to get myself back there now. 'It's going to be a tough season next season but I think we've got more than enough to get back there. 'I think it doesn't matter where I am next season. "I've got to still play like I'm a Premier League player. That's the main aim for me. 1 The Dublin native has Ireland duty to focus on before he makes crucial decisions on his future "I've spoken to the gaffer and that's the task he set for me. He wants me to carry on the standards of a Premier League player.'
