The Frankfurt Universe, German Football League semifinalists in 2017 have tapped into the defensive talent in Sweden for a second time this offseason signing national team defensive back Sebastian Gauthier.
The 26 year old Gauthier (6′, 216 lbs) spent the last two seasons playing safety and cornerback for the Örebrö Black Knights (2017 Swedish runners up). With Gauthier as a key component in the secondary, the Black Knights held opposing offenses to 137 yards passing on only a 34% completion rate. He and his teammates gave up just nine passing touchdowns all season. The year before, 2016, Gauthier was an integral part of the number one ranked defense in Sweden.
He will join fellow Swede Markus Persson in the Universe defensive backfield.
Born in Sonoma, California, Gauthier moved with his family to Sweden at the age of seven. He started playing football with the Västerås Roedeers before joining the Black Knights in 2016. He played high school football in Sonoma, California.
He has been a mainstay on the Swedish national team both as a junior and senior and started in the secondary during the 2014 European Championships in Austria.
Schwedischer Saftey kommt von den Örebro Black Knights – American Football
Die Defense von Samsung Frankfurt… https://t.co/UHfBbGafKJ
— Frankfurt Universe (@ffm_universe) January 5, 2018
Gauthier was sought after by many European clubs but settled on Frankfurt early on:
“There was interest from some reputable European clubs. But I was only interested in the request from Samsung Frankfurt Universe from the beginning. The history of the club, the defense of “Coach K” and the crazy purple fans were the main reason for my decision.”
Frankfurt reached the German semifinals in 2017 losing in a thriller to the New Yorker Lions. The Universe had the number one ranked passing defense in the German Football League and tied for first in overall defense.
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