Chris Mulumba’s incredible career comes to an end in his hometown of Vantaa
One of the most impressive player careers in Finnish American football comes to an end on Saturday, October 24, in Myyrmäki, Vantaa, when Chris Mulumba puts on the Finnish national team jersey for the last time. The circle closes in his hometown, from where Mulumba left to pursue a professional career in North America.
Mulumba’s exceptional career includes games at the highest level of college football in the United States, participation in the NFL International Player Pathway program, a historic appearance in the Grey Cup final of the Canadian CFL league, and a championship in the European ELF league with the Stuttgart Surge.
On Saturday, October 24, in the European Championship match, Finland will face Great Britain. The stakes are exceptionally high for the Finns, as the winner will advance directly to the European Championship medal games to be held in the summer of 2027. The match also holds personal significance for Mulumba – it will be the last of his long playing career.
Career kick-off with Roosters
Born in 1992, Mulumba started playing American football at the age of 17. His career, which began with the Helsinki Roosters in 2009, was preceded by a successful period in combat sports. Mulumba practiced wrestling and judo, in which he achieved, among other things, the Nordic Championship.
The young defensive lineman rose to the Roosters’ senior team and was part of the team that won the Vaahteramalja in 2012. After the championship season, he headed to the United States through military service completed at the Santahamina Sports School.
From junior college to NCAA peak
Mulumba moved to the United States in 2014 and began his college career at Chabot College in California. He then transferred to Diablo Valley College, where the Finnish defender became one of the best players on his team.
In the 2015 season, Mulumba recorded 63 tackles in ten games and was selected to the all-conference team. In his best game, he logged an impressive 17 tackles.
His strong performances caught the attention of NCAA Division I universities. Ultimately, Mulumba chose the University of Colorado, where he played for the Buffaloes in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
In his first season at Colorado, Mulumba made it to the starting lineup of the defensive line and collected 39 tackles in 12 games. Over two seasons, he accumulated a total of 63 tackles. He was also awarded as the most improved defensive lineman on his team.
In Finland, the Sports Journalists’ Association named Mulumba the American football player of the year in both 2017 and 2018.
NFL dream just one step away
After his college career, Mulumba aimed for a spot in the toughest professional American football league in the world, the NFL. He was selected for the 2020 International Player Pathway program, which accepted carefully selected players from around the world.
Mulumba trained at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, preparing for NFL team tryouts. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020 interrupted the training period and forced the organization of player showcases under exceptional arrangements.
Ultimately, Mulumba was left without an NFL contract. He later stated in an interview with Yle that he was on the verge of being selected when four players were picked from the program for NFL teams.
Not achieving an NFL spot, however, did not mean the end of his professional dream.
First Finn in the Grey Cup
In spring 2021, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted Mulumba in the Canadian professional league CFL’s international player draft in the second round, as the 11th player overall. He signed a contract with Hamilton and fulfilled his dream of playing professionally in North America.
In his very first CFL season, Mulumba achieved something no Finnish player had accomplished before. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats advanced to the 2021 Grey Cup final, and Mulumba was part of the team’s active roster.
The CFL championship was decided in front of over 26,000 spectators at Hamilton’s home stadium. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers won the thrilling final in overtime 33–25. Despite the loss, Mulumba became the first Finn to play in the Grey Cup.
He represented the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for three seasons from 2021 to 2023.
European championship crowns club career
After his professional years in North America, Mulumba returned to Europe for the 2024 season and signed with the Stuttgart Surge, which played in the European League of Football (ELF).
Over two seasons, he became one of the key players on the German team’s defense. With Stuttgart, Mulumba recorded 72 tackles and 12.5 quarterback sacks in 23 games.
In the 2025 season, Mulumba’s Stuttgart Surge advanced to the ELF final, where they faced the Vienna Vikings. Stuttgart won the final 24–17 and celebrated the first ELF championship in the club’s history in front of 36,784 spectators.
For the 2026 season, Mulumba moved to the Frankfurt Galaxy, which played in the new European Football Alliance (EFA) league. He recorded nine quarterback sacks in the Galaxy’s uniform and was named his team’s best defender, ranking among the most effective defensive linemen in the league.
National team return after 13-year break
Although Mulumba had played for years at the international elite level, his appearances for the Finnish men’s national team had been limited.
He played his first men’s international match in the fall of 2012 against Sweden. After that, there was a break of as much as 13 years before his next national team appearance.
In the fall of 2025, Mulumba returned to the national team for the Final Four European Championship tournament held in Krefeld, Germany, and was part of the team that won silver for Finland.
Now, a year later, one more international match awaits.
Final game in his hometown
On Saturday, October 24, Mulumba will put on the Finnish national team jersey for the last time. The opponent is Great Britain, and the winner of the match will advance to the European Championship medal games to be held in the summer of 2027. The match will be played at the Myyrmäki football stadium in Vantaa.
His nearly two-decade-long career has included a Finnish championship, college football at the highest level in the United States, the pursuit of the NFL dream, professional years in Canada, a historic Grey Cup appearance, and a club championship in a European professional league.
Now, the long journey around the world comes to an end where it all began. Chris Mulumba returns to his hometown to conclude his career in the Finnish national team jersey.
On Saturday, October 24, Chris Mulumba will put on the Finnish national team jersey for the last time. The long journey of the defensive lineman around the world comes to an end where it all began. Chris Mulumba returns to his hometown of Vantaa to conclude his career in the Finnish national team jersey.
Come and witness the conclusion of a magnificent career and cheer on Finland towards the 2027 European Championship medal games.
Game information:
- Event: Men’s European Championship series opener Finland – Great Britain
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026, kickoff at 14:00. Gates open at 13:00
- Location: Myyrmäki football stadium, Raappavuorentie 6, Vantaa
- Tickets sold by: Lippu.fi
Headline image: Jarmo Vehkomäki
