The Fehervar Enthroners of Hungary have made a high-profile signing ahead of the 2024 European League of Football season with the announcement of the signing of veteran American receiver Nathaniel Robitaille.
The 6’1, 195-pound Robitaille has spent the past two seasons with the Rhein Fire, with whom he won the ELF Championship this past season. He was limited by injuries in 2023, as he played in just four regular season games and recorded 25 catches for 487 yards and four touchdowns. However he returned from injury just in time for the league championship game, and he picked up right where he left off, recording nine catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns as part of a 53-34 victory over the Stuttgart Surge. In 2022, he played in all 12 regular season games, and caught 62 passes for 1,183 yards and 14 touchdowns, finishing second in the league in yards and touchdowns. In a 2022 game against the Cologne Centurions, Robitaille racked up 286 receiving yards, which is a league record that still stands to this day.
Blockbuster trade: Nathaniel Robitaille joining the Enthroners‼️
One of the biggest stars of ELF and European football, the 2022 ELF All-Star, 2023 ELF Champion will continue his career in Székesfehérvár, after leaving defending champion Rhein Fire!Go Enthroners! FEAR the E! 💙 pic.twitter.com/HBj4Qd4BP2
— Fehérvár Enthroners (@FehervarEnth) February 9, 2024
Before joining the Fire, Robitaille played in Germany for four years followed by a stint in Finland for two years. In 2016, he signed with the Frankfurt Universe of the GFL, and recorded 23 catches for 577 yards and nine touchdowns. He then signed with the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, where he spent the next three seasons. From 2017 to 2019, he racked up 3,597 receiving yards and 57 total touchdowns while also handling return duties. With Robitaille making plays on offense, the Unicorns won the German Bowl title in both 2017 and 2018. He then signed with the Seinäjoki Crocodiles of the Finnish Maple League, where he played on both sides of the ball, as well as special teams, from 2020 to 2021.
Robitaille played collegiately at Stonehill College, a school in Massachusetts that played at the NCAA Division II level while he was there (though they have since moved up to Division I FCS). From 2012 to 2014, he racked up 196 catches for 2,739 yards and 25 touchdowns for the Skyhawks, and was first team All-Conference in 2013 and 2014. He is still the school record holder for receiving yards and touchdown receptions.
With the signing of the 31 year-old Robitaille, the Enthroners are getting an experienced playmaker who will look to build a connection with quarterback Jack Mangel this summer. After a rocky start last season in their ELF debut, we shall see if the Enthroners can make some noise in 2024.
