Serbian champions Kragujevac Wild Boars sign Brazilian national team DB Andrew Bernardini

The defending Serbian champion Kragujevac Wild Boars have signed defensive back Andrew Bernardini for the 2018 season.

The 5’9″, 181 lb Bernardini, a native of London, England and a member of the Brazilian national team spent the 2017 season first with the Berlin Rebels of the German Football League. In 11 games, he recorded 37 tackles and helped the Rebels reach the GFL quarterfinals where they lost in overtime to eventual champions the Schwabisch Hall Unicorns. He then finished the year with the Belo Horizonte Sada Cruzeiro of Brazil’s top league helping them win the Brazilian championship. He was also a key on defense when Brazil thrashed Argentina last weekend 38-0.

In fact he has won three Brazilian championships in the last three years, two with Timbo Rex and this year’s title win with Sada Cruzeiro.

He began his football playing career with the London Blitz organization but moved to Brazil in 2011 and joined the Timbo Rex club where he played until 2016. His first stint in Europe came with Switzerland’s Luzern Lions in 2015. He moved to Italy’s Ancona Dolphins in 2016 helping the Dolphins to an undefeated (10-0) regular season.

Sada Cruzeiro head coach Dan Levy:

“Andrew is a great player to coach–a high football IQ player who understands leadership. His talent is obvious as it shows up on film, but what the film doesn’t show is his process–his attitude, his dedication to the game of football, and his professionalism. He is an example of the type of American football athlete that Brazil has to offer. I couldn’t be happier for Andrew and know that he will have an immediate impact on the Wild Boars, both on and off the field.”

Shane Wong, former All American linebacker, who helped recruit Bernardini to Kragujevac:

“Andrew has been on our radar for a couple of years now, but we could never get the right timing. This off-season he was a priority signing for us as we try to crack the Top 10 in Europe. Andrew provides us with great range at the safety position, a ton of American Football experience, natural hunting instincts, and my personal favorite, he is a BIG hitter. In our defensive scheme we ask our safeties to do a lot of tackling downhill and we can’t wait to see how Andrew takes on this role. He has a championship pedigree, great physical ability, and has adapted his whole career to different schemes.”

Wild Boars: Tell us a little about your background in football.

Andrew Bernardini: I started playing American football in London in 2010 when I was 14 years old with the London Blitz junior team! In 2011 I moved back to Brazil to a city called Timbo where I continued playing football for the Timbo Rex! After 6 years with the T-Rex I got offered to play for Luzern Lions (Switzerland) as my first contract as a “professional” football player in 2015, 2016 got signed by Ancona Dolphins (Italy), 2017 signed by Berlin Rebels (Germany) for the first semester and then signed back to Brazil to a team called Sada Cruzeiro (National Champs 2017)

WB: Why did you choose to come to Kragujevac to play with the Wild Boars this coming season?

Bernardini: Wild Boars are a competitive team, national champions! And also participating in a European championship! i chose to play for the Wild Boars because i am sure I will have great experiences and become a better player being part of the organization!

WB: What do you know about the level of American football played in Serbia?

Bernardini: I knew Serbia had American football but I guess the only team I have been in contact with by watching videos and game film is the Wild Boars! By watching it I can say the level looks really good and it is exactly what I am looking for!

WB: What do you know about Wild Boars?

Bernardini: I have watched two games on the Wild Boars the championship game of Serbia and the CEFL against Raiders ! Looks like a fiscal team with big sized players also looks like a pretty big organization that works hard toward their goals!

WB: What do you expect from your experience in First League of Serbia and CEFL?

Bernardini: Definitely expect to have an awesome experience with my new team in the field! My objective is that the Wild Boars continue being a Serbian champion and this year to become CEFL champions also! I expect hard work from myself and the team to outcome these goals and win all!!

WB: What do you think you bring to the Wild Boars?

Bernardini: I will bring a competitive and hard-working culture so that as a team we become better and better every day!

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Source: Kragujevac Wild Boars