The Braunschweig New Yorker Lions have ensured that their defense would remain among the best in Europe with the re-signing of their second-leading tackler, linebacker Roni Salonen from Finland.
The 6’2″, 220 lb 28 year old from Helsinki, Finland was the second best tackler for the Lions racking up 74 tackles as well as 21 tackles for loss. He sacked the quarterback four times and recorded three quarterback hurries. Since coming to Braunschweig he has amassed a total of 182 tackles of which 37 were tackles for loss.
Salonen, who has won Finnish championships (with the Helsinki Roosters), Austrian championships (Swarco Raiders) and the Eurobowl (Braunschweig New Yorker Lions) in in his career, has yet to win the German championship. The Lions reached the 2018 German Football League semifinals where they were eliminated in double overtime by the Frankfurt Universe 20-17.
Salonen began his career with the Helsinki Roosters helping them win the Finnish Maple Leaguetitle in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. He spent two seasons with Austria’s Swarco Raiders winning the Austrian championship in 2016 when he also returned to Helsinki to help the Roosters win another title.
Check out Roni Salonen’s highlights from 2018
