Former Highland Wildcats player Daniel Kane is set to embark on a new chapter in his football career as he joins the Hildesheim Invaders for the 2026 season in the German Football League. At just 24 years old, Kane has successfully built a professional career in American football since his teenage years in Inverness.
Following his time with the Highland Wildcats, Kane played for the University of Stirling before moving to Germany, where he had stints with the New Yorker Lions and Berlin Rebels. He also spent a season in Canada with the Okanagan Sun. Last year, he played for the Dusseldorf Panthers but concluded the summer competing in the European Football League with the Fehervar Enthroners. To wrap up 2025, Kane traveled to Sydney, Australia, to play with the UNSW Raiders, where he celebrated winning a state championship.
Having achieved significant success, Kane enters 2026 with high hopes and a positive mindset. He shared his enthusiasm for the Invaders, stating, “They are one of the stronger teams in the GFL – they were in the GFL for ages, went down but got promoted back up, and they went straight to the semi-finals in their first year back up.” Kane noted the impressive track record of the coaching staff as a major factor in his decision to join the team.
“They have some great coaches, and some crazy star power on the team, so it definitely looks like a strong set-up and a really well-run organization,” he added. Kane recalled his past encounters with the Invaders, remembering the electrifying atmosphere at their games, where fans donned white jerseys and created a deafening noise. “It was an incredible experience, so I”m excited to be part of the club,” he remarked.
Currently, Kane is concentrating on his recovery and preparing to be in peak physical condition for the pre-season training set to begin in April. After an eventful year that took him across different countries and continents, he anticipates a refreshing break. The offensive lineman believes that his diverse experiences have shaped him into a better player and hopes that the Invaders will benefit from his growth as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season.
“I had really great coaches in Hungary – our head coach Mark Ridgley coached in the NFL for over a decade, and our offensive coaches were out there as well,” Kane explained. “They were really big influences on me, and I tried to spend as many hours in that facility as I could to learn from them. It was the best experience I”ve ever had playing American football; I really loved that place.” He also appreciated the opportunity to learn from his Serbian teammates, who brought a vibrant and energetic culture to the team.
Kane”s time in Australia was equally rewarding, as he was able to connect with family members who relocated there, allowing him to explore a new part of the world. “On the pitch as an offensive lineman, we can do all the blocking and create opportunities for others, but we”re not the ones who get to take them, so I always find that as much as I want to be winning trophies I just have to dial in on each moment and focus on what”s at hand,” he said. “You have faith in your guys, and you”ve got to give them the trust and hope that they trust you and believe in you. If you don”t have that, it”s not an efficient group.”
