German Native Markus Kuhn Signs With New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have announced that they have signed German native (Weinheim, Germany) and defensive lineman Markus Kuhn as an unrestricted free agent from the New York Giants.

Kuhn joins another German-born player, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (Kaarst, Germany)  on the Patriots.

Other Germans playing in the NFL include Björn Werner (Indianapolis Colts), Kasim Edebali (New Orleans Saints) and Mark Nzeocha (Dallas Cowboys).

The 29-year-old Kuhn is a veteran of four NFL seasons with the New York Giants. The 6-foot-4, 303-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick (239th overall) of the Giants out of North Carolina State in the 2012 NFL Draft. He has played in 39 NFL games with 10 starts and has 48 total tackles, 1½ sacks and two fumble recoveries, one of which was returned 26 yards for a touchdown at Tennessee during the 2014 season.

Last season, Kuhn played in 10 games with eight starts and finished with four total tackles. In December of 2014, he became the first German citizen to score an NFL touchdown; returning a fumble against the Tennessee Titans. 

Kuhn grew up in Weinheim, Germany, and was introduced to football while spending vacations with his family in Florida.

Original story from the New England Patriots.