German Football League: Potsdam Royals sign Belgian national team star Ruben de Ruyter

| American Football | 02/20/2022

The Potsdam Royals continue to add talent to their squad signing Belgian athlete Ruben de Ruyter.

The veteran defensive back and receiver has been on head coach Michael Vogt radar for years so needless to say, the Royals sideline boss is excited to finally have de Ruyter in Potsdam this season:

“We have known each other for a number of years and have always kept in touch. After a visit last year, we knew that we wanted to work together in different areas. Ruben will not only bring us further as a player, he will also be involved in the youth sector in the long term! I am very happy that he is with us now!”

The 6’1″, 210-pound athlete is coming off of a strong season with the Marburg Mercenaries making 45 tackles, two interceptions, four tackles for a loss, and one blocked kick in only seven games. The versatile athlete spent the 2019 season with the Rostock Griffins in the GFL2, catching 39 passes for 698 yards and four touchdowns. In 2018, playing for the Ingolstadt Dukes in the GFL, he had 61 receptions for 727 yards and four touchdowns while also returning a fumble for a touchdown as a defensive back and scoring a rushing touchdown. De Ruyter is excited to bring his versatility and leadership to the Royals:

“I’m excited for the opportunity and can’t wait to bring my high energy and passion to Potsdam.”

Prior to playing in the German Football League, he suited up for the Hämeenlinna Huskies in Finland’s Maple League helping them reach the semifinals in 2017, in their first year in the league. He had 34 catches for 568 yards and five touchdowns for the Huskies.  The year prior, he won a Swedish title with the Carlstad Crusaders as the first Belgian to ever play for the eight-time Swedish champions

He played his first season of football in 2014 with the Ghent Gators helping them win their very first Belgian championship. De Ruyter was quickly selected for the national team and in 2015 was named one of the five team captains while appearing in five international games. Later that year moved to Germany to play free safety and wide receiver with the Leipzig Lions of Germany’s Regionalliga.

The Belgian talent joins a Potsdam squad that’s quickly growing with talent from home and abroad. The Royals have already signed receivers Jared Wolfe (Villanova NCAA DI FCS) and Brandon Polk (Penn State NCAA DI) along with Icelandic lineman Stefán Stefánsson, Finnish running back Karri Pajarinen, Frenchman Jerome Valbone, and Italian linebacker Filipo Fort.

Watch Ruben De Ruyters 2021 highlights here

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and