Germany: Braunschweig New Yorker Lions sign DB Matt Soldner

Braunschweig New Yorker Lions head coach Troy Tomlin has signed defensive back Matt Soldner for the 2023 season.

The versatile 6’0″, 200-pound defensive back from Cold Springs, Minnesota spent the 2022 season with the Pforzheim Wilddogs in Germany’s Regionalliga (Div. III) helping the team to a perfect 12-0 season and promotion to GFL2. He finished the season with 90 tackles and seven interceptions.

Soldner started his collegiate career spending two years in junior college at Central Lakes College (NJCAA Division-III) in his home state of Minnesota. In the 2015 and 2016 seasons he would tally 15 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

After developing for two seasons at Central Lakes, Soldner finished his education and collegiate playing time at Adams State in 2021 (NCAA Division-II). During his final year, he transitioned to the defensive side of the ball where he recorded 34 tackles playing linebacker and safety.

The 26-year-old safety looks to add some flash and ball hawking ability to the Lions secondary. While playing for Pforzheim, Soldner also contributed to the special teams’ unit as a long-snapper and punt returner so the U.S. import has the ability to contribute there for Braunschweig as well.

Noah Costantino is a student and football player at Baldwin Wallace University in Cleveland, Ohio. Fueled by his love for the game he looks to continue his knowledge of football at an international level. He is majoring in Communications with a