Canadian defensive back Kosi Onyeka has signed with the Berlin Thunder in the American Football League of Europe.
Onyeka played 10 games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025 and made three starts at safety, but was released on September 30 for an undisclosed code of conduct violation. He made 10 defensive tackles and 10 special teams tackles prior to his departure.
The 26-year-old native of Brampton, Ont., spent four seasons with the Riders, recording 13 defensive tackles, 35 special teams tackles, and one forced fumble in 40 career games. He joined Saskatchewan in 2022 after going unselected in the 2021 CFL Draft.
Onyeka played collegiately at the University of Guelph, where he made 64 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups in 25 games. His brothers, Nakas and Ifenna, both played in the CFL, while his cousins, Godfrey and Kene, play for the Calgary Stampeders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, respectively.
The AFLE is one of two startup leagues beginning play in Europe this year, following the financial collapse of the European League of Football. It includes four former ELF franchises in the Thunder, Wroclaw Panthers, Rhein Fire, and Vienna Vikings, plus a number of new organizations, including the Alpine Rams, Paris Lights, Firenze Red Lions, and an unnamed team in London, England.
Onyeka joins the Thunder as their one designated international import, which is defined as a player who began his football career in the national system of Canada, Mexico, or Japan. This is a new concept introduced by the AFLE, as products from those nations have typically been considered American by European leagues, reducing their opportunities overseas.
Other Canadians who have signed in the league under the new designation include tight end Dylan St. Pierre with the Panthers, linebacker Harold Miessan with the Rams, and defensive back Justin Howell with the Fire.
Founded in 2021, the Thunder went a combined 26-32 across five seasons in the ELF and made the playoffs just once. Canadian Jag Bal served as the team’s inaugural head coach and returned to the role in 2025, but was not brought back after a 3-9 final season.
Berlin will play their first game in the AFLE on Saturday, May 23, when they visit the Vienna Vikings.
