The board of the Lisboa Devils announced the signing of American tight end Collin Franklin to compete in the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Americano (LPFA) for the 2015/2016 season. Franklin studied at Iowa State University, where he played for the Iowa State Cyclones in NCAA. After graduating he signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted agent and was assigned to the practice squad. He was let go and then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played in two games in 2011. Franklin also played for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.
Franklin, 1.96 m and 110 kg (6’4″, 245 lbs) will play as a tight end and wide receiver. He will be joined by compatriot and running back Malcolm Gasque, who is already in Portugal. According to Devil’s president Duarte Hipólito Carreira, the Americans will assist in the technical development of the Lisbon squad.
“This summer we invested in providing even more knowledge to our players, so we signed with two American players, one former player of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Collin Franklin. It should be stressed that this is the first time ever in Portugal that a former professional player will line up for a team in our league”.
Both Franklin and Gasque will play through the end of the Portuguese League season including the playoffs if the red and black side of Lisbon reaches the post season. The Devils will play their first game on December 6, against crosstown rivals and current Portuguese champions the Lisboa Navigators.
It is important to note that the roster of the Devils already has other foreigners, including a Brazilian, a Japanese player, an Angolan, a São Toméan and a French player, who has been called up for the French National Team, the Fighting Frogs.
“Collin came to Lisbon because it is an attractive place to live with good conditions. We have a Canadian coach, Anthony Skinner, who has coached with a European championship team, the Calanda Broncos in Switzerland, and has many contacts. And we do not forget that for many Americans Portugal is an almost tropical country”.
Watch Franklin’s highlights
