Sweden: Carlstad Crusaders sign Euro veteran Pierre Courageux

The defending Swedish champions, the Carlstad Crusaders have signed one of the top safeties in Europe, Pierre Courageux from France.

The 6’1″, 210 pound, 29 year-old Courageux, a native of Vannes, France and member of the French national team, spent the 2020 pandemic-delayed and shortened season with the Copenhagen Towers in Denmark. Unfortunately, the season was cancelled as the playoffs were about to start with the Towers unbeaten in the four games played. He had originally signed to play for the Milano Seamen in Italy, but the season was cancelled due to COVID-19 before it started.

In 2019, he helped the Turkish champion Koc Rams win their fifth straight Turkish title. He then signed with the Copenhagen Towers in Denmark reaching the Danish final. The year before, playing with one of the elite teams in Europe, the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, Courageux had a banner season recording 87 tackles and six interceptions in 19 games as starting free/strong safety. He helped the Lions to the German semifinals that year.

In 2017, he contributed to the Helsinki Roosters winning the Finnish and Northern European Football League titles with 79 tackles and nine interceptions. He spent the 2016 season with the Seinäjoki Crocodiles, also in Finland’s Maple League, helping them reach the Maple Bowl, Finland’s championship game. He launched his elite career with the Thonon Black Panthers in 2014, helping Thonon win the French title that year.

Highlights from the 2018 season with the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions