WATERLOO, Ont. - Recent Golden Hawks defensive back Maliek Cote-Azore has taken the next step in his football career, signing with the Alpine Rams for the inaugural season of the American Football League Europe (AFLE).

Based in Biel, Switzerland, the organization is part of an eight-team circuit that features a 12-game regular season schedule.

"I'm really excited for the opportunity to join the Rams and take the next step in my football career," said Cote-Azore. "Laurier football played a huge role in preparing me for this next step by helping me grow as both a player and a person, and I'm thankful to my coaches and teammates for helping me reach this point.

"I'm looking forward to embracing this new challenge and representing Golden Hawks football at the professional level."

Cote made his debut on June 7 in the Rams' second game of the campaign, helping his new club to a 23-20 victory over the London Warriors by matching a team-high with five tackles.

This past Saturday, he recorded four more tackles in the Rams' 47-20 loss to the Vienna Vikings.

A native of Ajax, Ont., Cote-Azore spent five seasons with the purple and gold, appearing in 43 games and emerging as one of the program's most consistent defensive backs.

Across his university career, the 5'11", 187-pound halfback registered 195 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, 23 pass breakups, an interception and a blocked kick.

"We are so proud of Maliek. He has been a staple in the boundary for Laurier football for years," said Laurier's manager of football operations and head coach Todd Galloway. "This is a great pathway for him to continue his football career and show why he's one of the best corners to come out of U SPORTS."

Cote-Azore generated significant pro attention during the 2025 CFL pre-draft process, winning the vertical jump at the CFL Combine with a 41-inch leap after earning his invitation through a standout performance at the Invitational Combine in Waterloo.

He ultimately went unselected but returned to Laurier for his final season, where he elevated his game and earned OUA all-star and U SPORTS first-team All-Canadian honours.

He also previously represented Team Canada in international tackle football competition.