The ink is dry. The deals in the towel. True to the motto ‘After the season is before the season’, the Vienna Vikings announced the first squad news for the next season in the European League of Football. With Holmes and Touré, two key players on the offensive side of the ball can be signed early. Which of course is also Head Coach Chris Calaycay particularly pleased: “Consistency is the foundation of success for our franchise. The return of these two All Stars is a great start to our current off-season.”
Crowd favorite Holmes remains the franchise quarterback
The 29-year-old American played a great season for the Vienna Vikings. Although he was unable to play for three weeks due to injury, he finished the regular season Undefeated and with outstanding statistics. In just nine games of the regular season, he threw for 2,603 yards and 34 (!) passing touchdowns, which marks a new record in Vienna. Compared to the other top QBs in the ELF, all of whom played 12 – in the case of Madrid’s Duncan even 13 due to the team change – games, Holmes still has the league’s best values in the categories of touchdowns per game (3.8) and Passing yards per game (289.2). Nine more touchdowns were added in the two post-season games. Now the former USFL & CFL playmaker from Orchard Park, NY is looking forward to his return to Vienna next year.
„The family atmosphere is a huge reason for why I’m coming back. I’m trying to get our core group of guys back for next year, and it all starts with your quarterback. I love what we got going on here, my family and I are excited to be back in Vienna in 2025.“
OROY Noah Toure gets a three-year contract
Photo: Hannes Jirgal / Vienna Vikings
The wide receiver is also very happy Noah Toure. The Salzburger, for whom 2024 marked his first season in the European League of Football, signed with the Vienna Vikings Three-Year-Deal and will play for the Vienna franchise until 2027. Already at the beginning of the season the newly awarded Offensive Rookie of the Year catch your attention with spectacular catches and scores. His name was quickly mentioned again and again in connection with the best rookies in the league. After all, he was nominated twice at the ELF Honors (Rookie Of The Year, Offensive Rookie Of The Year) and elected to the Second All-Star Team. Statistically, he finished the regular season with 8 touchdowns and 836 receiving yards (on 50 catches).
Numerous further discussions with players and coaches of the current team are ongoing and should be largely completed by the official start of free agency on November 1st – the day on which all teams can enter into negotiations with all athletes and coaches. So it remains exciting and exciting for fans, who, by the way, are already buying their 2025 season tickets at the early bird price Ticketmaster Austria can purchase.
