Vienna Vikings sign ex-Austrian National team striker Stefan ‘Major’ Maierhofer
Soccer star Stefan ‘Major’ Maierhofer now part of the Vikings star ensemble. The former Austrian national team striker is trading soccer or football for American football signing to be a kicker for the 2025 Vienna Vikings.
The announcement of his professional comeback a few days ago catapulted Stefan ‘Major’ Maierhofer rapidly into the sports headlines in Austria – and beyond the country’s borders. Rumors, speculation and even a video recording made by a private individual showing Maierhofer in front of the Generali-Arena fueled the coverage before the ‘Major; himself put an end to the guesswork on Monday evening on Servus TV’s Sport & Talk from Hangar-7:
“Yes, I’m making my professional comeback as an American football kicker and will be playing for the Vienna Vikings in 2025.”
From striker to kicker
The birth of this sensational coup took place at the end of 2024, when the successful ELF franchise from Vienna decided to add a former professional footballer to its kicking unit. The right candidate then had to be found.
“It was immensely important to us that the right athlete not only fit in with us in terms of sport but also in terms of character,” says Robin Lumsden, owner of the franchise. “We met with a number of prominent footballers. They all wanted to play for us and did trial training sessions. Many found it difficult.
“We very quickly realized that Stefan was just the right person. He had the right talent, and he lives the typical Vikings Fighting mentality: highly professional and highly competitive. Stefan leaves nothing to chance. Neither do we. To ensure that Stefan integrates well, we have hired ex-NFL kicker Giorgio Tavecchio as our coach.”
“We very quickly realized that Stefan was exactly the right person.” – Team owner Robin Lumsden
Keeping Maierhofer’s training sessions with the NFL pro and new kicking coach of the Viennese team a secret was no easy task. “Stefan is a very tall man, extremely popular, and with a unique body language. But we managed it somehow,” smiles Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay, who does not yet want to give any exact details about Maierhofer’s first game appearance. “Of course, he’s got a great leg. No doubt about that! The transition from kicking a soccer ball to kicking a football is tough but going tremendously well. It is impressive how motivated and competitive Stefan is. We might see him on the field for kick-offs earlier than scheduled.”
“Stefan’s transition from soccer to American football is going tremendously well.” – HC Chris Calaycay
Maierhofer can look back on an impressive soccer career spanning over 20 years. He was known, almost infamous, for his goalscoring qualities and his physical presence on the pitch. With stints at Rapid Vienna, FC Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton, FC Red Bull Salzburg and MSV Duisburg, to name but a few, he was at home in the top European football scene for years. Now the 42-year-old is lacing up his cleats again on the international stage – as a kicker for the Vienna Vikings in the European League of Football.
“From minute one with the Vikings, I knew this was where I wanted to be. This is a team that speaks with one voice, from the owner to the equipment manager. That impressed me, everything is geared towards success and respect. The training sessions with former NFL kicker Giorgio Tavecchio were challenging. We worked on my technique in the pouring rain. But that only made the goal even clearer: I want to reach the final with the Vikings in 2025 and play in front of 50,000 football fans in the Championship Game at VfB Stuttgart stadium.”
“At the Vikings, everything is geared towards success and respect. That impressed me.” – Stefan Maierhofer
The Vienna Vikings start their fourth ELF season next Sunday. With one championship title (2022), one runner-up title (2024), three conference titles (2022, 2023 & 2024) and an overall 37-4 winning record, the franchise from Vienna is also one of the top 3 title contenders this year. The goal of HC Calaycay’s team is therefore without a doubt: the final on September 7 in the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.
Fans in Vienna will have to wait a little longer before the first home games take place. On May 24 (Hohe Warte against Fehervar) and on June 7 and 21 (Generali-Arena against Innsbruck and Düsseldorf), the Vikings show will once again thrill tens of thousands. If everything goes according to plan, the Major’s first game appearance will be on June 7 against the Raiders Tirol. The very home game that will be themed ‘Salute To Service’.
