Tampere Saints sign Logan Collier after Patriots rookie camp

American wide receiver Logan Collier will return to Tampere to play for the Saints this spring after attending the New England Patriots' February training camp, YLE reports. Collier played four games last season and led his team in both yards and touchdowns.

Coach Hannes Mattila said Collier is "an incredible athlete for this country and this league" and expects him to boost a Saints offense that helped the club climb back from first division last year. Collier arrived directly from the Patriots rookie camp after drawing NFL attention. His signing underlines why the Finnish top flight still attracts recent U.S. college players despite limited budgets.

Roope Noronen, who leads the Finnish American Football Association (SAJL), predicts a tight, unpredictable season among seven teams, with reigning champions Butchers and Seinäjoki Crocodiles among the favorites. He warned that a player and volunteer shortage, which cost Helsinki Wolverines their place, remains the sport's biggest challenge. Several Finns, including Edward Vesterinen and Olaus Alinen, are still chasing NFL chances that would give the league a major boost.