CFL Global trailblazer, three-time Grey Cup champion Thiadric Hansen signs with Frankfurt Galaxy

Photo courtesy: Toronto Argonauts

Thiadric Hansen, the Canadian Football League’s most notable Global success story, has returned to Europe, signing a contract with the Frankfurt Galaxy.

Hansen was most recently a member of the Toronto Argonauts, but was released during training camp. He saw action in 11 games for the Argos in 2025, recording nine special teams tackles.

The 33-year-old defensive end originally joined Toronto in 2024, appearing in 12 contests while making four defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, and a sack. He helped the Boatmen hoist the Grey Cup, winning his third CFL championship.

The native of Flensburg, Germany, was originally selected with the second overall pick in the 2019 CFL European Draft, a precursor to the modern Global Draft, by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He spent four seasons with the team, recording 19 defensive tackles, 21 special teams tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles in 46 games. He won two CFL titles with the Bombers and is best remembered for a hellacious hit on special teams in the 2019 Grey Cup.

Hansen finished his CFL career with 22 defensive tackles, 40 special teams tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles in 69 regular-season games.

The six-foot-one, 235-pound defender played linebacker for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes of the German Football League prior to his time in the CFL, and was the club’s all-time leading tackler upon his departure. During the cancelled 2020 season, he suited up for the Wroclaw Panthers in the Polish Football League and helped that team to a Polish Bowl title.

A bus driver by trade, Hansen helped facilitate the evacuation of Ukrainian refugees to Germany following the Russian invasion.

The Frankfurt Galaxy play in the European Football Alliance, one of two fledgling leagues which have replaced the now-defunct European League of Football. Other notable former CFL players on the roster include receiver Brevin Easton, offensive lineman Steven Nielsen, and defensive lineman Chris Mulumba.

The team has gone 0-2 through the first three weeks of the season. They will next face the Tirol Raiders on Saturday, June 6.