ELF: Berlin Thunder sign Finnish defensive tackle Christer Berg

| American Football | 11/23/2022

The Berlin Thunder have boosted their defensive front seven in preparation for the European League of Football 2023 season with the signing of Finnish defensive tackle Christer Berg.

After starting his career in the Helsinki Roosters’ youth program, Berg would spend time with the Hameenlinna Huskies and the Hyvinkää Falcons before later returning to the Roosters in 2018.  In 2018 and 2019, he helped the Roosters win the Finnish Maple League championship.  During the 2022 season with Helsinki, Berg recorded 44 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and 4 sacks as his team finished the regular season with a record of 6-3.  Additionally, Berg has played for the Finnish national team since 2019 and helped Finland reach the 2023 IFAF European Championship final four.

At 23 years of age, Berg is an experienced but still young talent who can be a big boost to the Thunder’s defensive line.  Last year, the Berlin defense ranked in the middle of the pack in most categories as they missed the playoffs for the second straight season.  Along with safety Alex Spillum, who signed with Berlin earlier in the week, the Thunder are hoping Berg will be a defensive piece that can help lead them to the playoffs for the first time.

Thunder head coach Johnny Schmuck:

“Christer is exactly the type of player we were looking for.  A very explosive player, our defensive line will improve with him. Despite his young age, he is already a starter for the Finnish National team, plays run and pass equally at a high level and wants to make sure to show what he can do.  He will cause our opponents some problems!”

A current student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carter played football in high school and has been a lifelong avid football fan.