Two Linfield College football players have signed professional contracts to play for the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League.

Defensive tackle Paul Nishizaki and quarterback Aaron Boehme, both recent graduates, will compete with the Unicorns during the 2011 season.

The two multi-time all-stars were mainstays on Linfield's 2009 and 2010 Northwest Conference championship teams.

GFL clubs are permitted to sign up to two new American players each season, one for each side of the ball.

"Paul and just Aaron are very good athletes", said Unicorns head coach Siegfried Gehrke. "I am convinced Paul will help consolidate the interior of our defense.”

The Unicorns begin play in the 14-team GFL in early April. The 15-game regular season culminates in early September.

The club has been in existence since 1983 and won the GLU Southern Division championship most recently in 2009.

Former Wildcats All-America quarterbacks Brett Elliott and Tyler Matthews are the most recent Linfield players to compete in Germany. Elliott enjoyed a productive season for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa in 2007. Matthews played one season with the Franken Knights of the GFL 2, the second tier conference.