Finland: Helsinki Roosters sign WR Lorenzo Melchiorre

The MVP of the 2018 Spanish Bowl, wide receiver Lorenzo Melchiorre has signed to play for the Helsinki Roosters in Finland’s Maple League in 2021.

The 5’11”, 195 pound, 25 year old Melchiorre, from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, had signed to play for Italy’s Bolzano Giants in 2020 but the pandemic forced cancellation of the season in Italy. In 2019, Melchiorre was outstanding while playing for the Lazio Ducks in Italy’s Division 1. Playing both ways, he led the league in interceptions with four for 105 yards and one touchdowns, he was third in total touchdowns scored with 10 (8 on touchdown receptions, 1 on an interception and 1 on a punt return) and he was tied for 5th in scoring with 60 points.

In 2018, he was a key to the Badalona Dracs championship run in Spain and was named the Spanish Bowl MVP after scoring three touchdowns as a wide receiver to lead his team to a dramatic 33-26 win over the Murcia Cobras.

Melchiorre played for the American International College Yellow Jackets (NCAA Div. II) from 2014 to 2017, and was a three-year starter at safety. He recorded 155 tackles in his four year career to go along with seven interceptions. He had four picks in his senior season. In his senior season, he was second in the Northeast 10 Conference with four interceptions, 12th with most solo tackles, 37, and most tackles as a defensive back with 60.

The Helsinki Roosters are winners of 20 Finnish titles, including eight straight from 2012 to 2019.

Check out highlights from 2019 with Lazio Ducks in Italy