Valentin Gnahoua

Valentin Gnahoua (born September 29, 1994) is a French professional gridiron football defensive end for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was the first overall pick by the Tiger-Cats in the 2019 European CFL Draft. Gnahoua has also been a member of the Berlin Rebels and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Valentin Gnahoua
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Gnahoua before a Tiger-Cats game in 2019
Born: (1994-09-29) September 29, 1994
Le Mans, France
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusGlobal
Position(s)Defensive end
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight235 lb (107 kg)
UniversityMcGill
CFL Draft2019 Euro / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
As player
2017–2018Berlin Rebels
2019–2022Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2023*Saskatchewan Roughriders
2023–presentHamilton Tiger-Cats
Career stats
Total tackles12
Sacks0
Interceptions0
Valentin Gnahoua
Medal record
Men’s American football
Representing  France
World Games
Gold medal – first place2017 WrocławTeam
European Championship
Bronze medal – third place2014 AustriaTeam
European Junior Championship
Bronze medal – third place2013 GermanyTeam

Early years

Gnahoua began playing American football in 2011, joining a local semi-pro team, the Caimans du Mans, as a sixteen-year old.[1] He was drawn to the sport after watching a National Football League game on television earlier that year.[2]

In 2016, he arrived in Canada, playing one season of collegiate football for the McGill Redmen before a sudden increase in international student tuition forced him to return to France.[3]

Professional career

Berlin Rebels

He rejoined the Caimans in 2017, playing well enough early on in the campaign to get signed by the Berlin Rebels of the German Football League (GFL) midway through the 2017 GFL season.[4] He recorded 47 tackles and nine sacks during his two seasons with the Rebels.[2]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

In 2019, he was announced as one of the 18 European players invited to the 2019 CFL Combine in Toronto.[5] The following month, in April, he was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as the first overall pick in the inaugural European CFL draft, part of commissioner Randy Ambrosie's initiative to grow the league's presence internationally.[6][7] He began the season as a member of the practice squad,[8] but made his debut during their week 9 matchup against the BC Lions on August 10, recovering an onside kick that led to a second-quarter field goal in the 35-34 victory.[9]

Gnahoua signed a contract extension with the Tiger-Cats on December 29, 2020.[10] He was placed on the suspended list on July 19, 2021, but was later activated and played in the first regular season game of 2021.[11][12] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 14, 2023.[13]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On February 17, 2023, it was announced that Gnahoua had signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[14] He was released during training camp.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On July 10, 2023 re-signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[15]

Personal life

His father was a professional association football (soccer) player who was a member of the Ivory Coast national football team and played professionally in France, where Valentin was born.[2]

References
  1. Kadler, Anne (January 1, 2019). "Valentin Gnahoua verlängert in Berlin" (in German). american-football.com. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  2. O'Leary, Chris (April 11, 2019). "Anticipation mounts for Thursday's European draft – Valentin Gnahoua can't wait". americanfootballinternational.com. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  3. Barnes, Dan (April 9, 2019). "Interview with Tiger-Cats has French defensive lineman excited about CFL's European draft". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  4. "BERLIN REBELS GFL SENIORS- VERSTÄRKUNG FÜR DIE DEFENSE" (in German). German Football League. June 22, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  5. "CFL invites 18 players from international countries to national combine". 3 Down Nation. March 14, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  6. Ralph, Dan (April 11, 2019). "Valentin Gnahoua top pick by Hamilton Tiger-Cats in CFL European draft". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  7. "French DL Valentin Gnahoua 1st player selected in CFL European Draft". americanfootballinternational.com. April 11, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  8. Smith, Josh (June 11, 2019). "Assessing the Ticats training camp cuts and regular season roster". 3 Down Nation. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  9. Ralph, Dan (August 10, 2019). "Brandon Banks' late TD grab rallies Hamilton Tiger-Cats past B.C. Lions 35-34". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  10. "Ticats extend four Canadians, one Global". CFL.ca. December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  11. "Tiger-Cats add three players to training camp roster". TiCats.ca. July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  12. "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  13. "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  14. "Riders add global defensive lineman Valentin Gnahoua". Saskatchewan Roughriders. February 17, 2023.
  15. "Hamilton Tiger-Cats bring back former No. 1 Global pick Valentin Gnahoua". TSN. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
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