Kömür: “Really grateful for the trust the coach has in me”
An interview with the midfielder
First Team
31.10.2025, 11:00
After a short spell on the sidelines due to illness, Mert Kömür is back and available for FCA, just in time for their Friday night clash with Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old has been a real standout performer this season and sits level with Fabian Rieder on four goal contributions as FCA’s most prolific attacking threat. We sat down with Kömür, who told us about the past few weeks, his more attacking role under Sandro Wagner and his close friendship with Noahkai Banks.
Mert, you were forced to miss the Leipzig game through illness. How are you feeling now?
Yeah, I’m fine now. It completely floored me, and I was stuck at home for a couple of days. I wasn’t really thinking much about football then. I’m just happy to be back now though.
This season is going well for you personally. You’ve featured in every Bundesliga fixture this season, other than the Leipzig game of course. Before the season started, did you expect to have such an important role?
I definitely hoped I would. I had a good pre-season and wanted to show that I was completely ready for the start of the season. I’m really pleased to be getting the chance to play so many matches. I’m really grateful for the trust that the coach has in me.
You’re playing a much more advanced role under Sandro Wagner. How are you enjoying it?
It was a bit unusual at first, but I’ve got the hang of it now. You’re always involved when leading the line, which gives you a lot of opportunities to influence the game. At the same time, it also means you have more responsibility on the pitch. I’ve managed to get a couple of goals and assists this season, and I hope that continues.
You and Noahkai Banks are two prime examples of Augsburg’s approach to developing home-grown talent into first-team players. You get along pretty well off the pitch too, how did that friendship begin?
Noki and I have known each other since the U15s, when he was the youngest player at our training camp, having been brought up from the U14s. We got along really well right from the start and shared a dorm room from U17s onwards. We’ve grown pretty close ever since.
You’re a bit older than Noki and made the jump to the first team before he did. Did you help him out when he joined the team?
No, simply because it wasn’t necessary. When someone new joins the team they’re given a warm welcome and everyone tries to support each other as best they can. Obviously I’m very happy that we’re both together playing for the first team.
Do you two get up to much outside of football?
If I’ve got a few days off in a row, then I’ll normally be in Dachau just chilling out with my family. I’m not really the type who’s on the go all the time and I do like to just relax at home sometimes. Every now and then, Noki and I do feel the urge to head into town.
Are you often getting recognised when you’re out and about?
Yeah, it happens more often when you’re playing more and getting on the scoresheet. It’s not something I’m used to, but it’s nice – you realise that people do recognise you and support you.
You’ve already mentioned how important your home and family are. What sort of role do they play for you?
You can always rely on your family. It’s irrelevant to them whether you played well or not. They support me, motivate me and give me that sense of security. They’re there for me at every game as well, whether it’s my dad, mum, brother, sister, or girlfriend – they all play their part.
You’re currently involved with the Germany U21 side, but there is said to be interest in you from the Turkish football federation. Is that something that’s on your mind?
Not at all. My mind is on the game against Borussia Dortmund. We have to do everything we can to get more points on the board against BVB. I’ll deal with the national team stuff when the time comes. We’ll just have to see what the future holds.
