Sturm Graz is an Austrian football club founded in Graz in 1909, identified with black and white and the nickname the Blackies. The club has built a strong regional identity while competing among Austria’s established top-flight sides and representing the country in European football. Its home setting at Merkur Arena in Liebenau is closely associated with an intense matchday atmosphere. This team page brings together the club’s identity, current football context and long-term profile.
Sturm Graz Upcoming matches by league
Bundesliga
-
- Regular Season - 7
Red Bull Salzburg
Sturm Graz
-
- Regular Season - 8
Austria ViennaNo H2HSturm Graz
-
- Regular Season - 9
Sturm GrazNo H2HGrazer AK
Merkur Arena -
- Regular Season - 10
Sturm GrazNo H2HRied
Merkur Arena
UEFA Europa League
-
- League Stage - 1
Sturm Graz
Rennes
-
- Group Stage
Bournemouth
Sturm Graz
-
- Group Stage
Sturm Graz
Marseille
-
- Group Stage
Sturm Graz
Celje
Sturm Graz Last matches by league
Bundesliga
UEFA Europa League
Cup
UEFA Champions League
Friendlies Clubs
Sturm Graz Team Roster
Sturm Graz’s recorded first-team squad contains 33 players: eight attackers, 13 defenders, four goalkeepers and eight midfielders. The group includes attackers A. Camara, A. Kayombo and N. Weiper; midfielders O. Kiteishvili, J. Gorenc Stankovič and S. Seidl; defenders J. Mitchell, P. Petrović and Kelechi Nnamdi; and goalkeepers D. Khudyakov and A. Helac. This balance gives the roster depth across every outfield line, with four goalkeepers providing a defined specialist unit. The recorded squad therefore presents a broad spread of roles rather than a concentration in one area.
position Goalkeeper
Ammar Helac
Christoph Wiener-Pucher
Elias Lorenz
Daniil Khudyakov
position Defender
Joshua Quarshie
Bastian Tim Maierhofer
Albert Vallci
E. Roche
Emran Soglo
Kelechi Nnamdi
Petar Petrović
Arjan Malic
Luís Francisco Balbo Vieira
Gabriel Haider
Paul-Friedrich Koller
Niklas Geyrhofer
position Midfielder
Jon Gorenc Stankovič
Julian Halwachs
Filip Rózga
Otar Kiteishvili
Gizo Mamageishvili
Simon Seidl
Jürgen Heil
Luca Weinhandl
Jacob Peter Hödl
Valmir Matoshi
position Attacker
Axel Kayombo
Szymon Włodarczyk
Seedy Jatta
Belmin Beganović
Leon Grgić
Nelson Felix Patrick Weiper
Last Sturm Graz Coachs
Jürgen Säumel is the recorded current coach of Sturm Graz, having started the role on 1 November 2024. The Austrian coach followed Christian Ilzer, whose tenure ran from July 2020 to November 2024. Thomas Hösele occupied the preceding short period in 2020, while Nestor El Maestro led the club from July 2019 to June 2020. Roman Mählich’s recorded spell began in November 2018 and ended in June 2019. The timeline places Säumel at the head of the club’s current coaching cycle.
Fabio Ingolitsch
History
| Coach | Coach country | Coach since | Coach until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabio Ingolitsch | Austria | 1 August 2025 | |
| Jürgen Säumel | Austria | 1 November 2024 | |
| Christian Ilzer | Austria | 1 July 2020 | 1 November 2024 |
| Thomas Hösele | Austria | 1 June 2020 | 1 July 2020 |
| Nestor El Maestro | Serbia | 1 July 2019 | 1 June 2020 |
| Roman Mählich | Austria | 1 November 2018 | 1 June 2019 |
| Heiko Vogel | Germany | 1 January 2018 | 1 November 2018 |
| Franco Foda | Germany | 1 September 2014 | 1 December 2017 |
| Darko Milanič | Slovenia | 1 June 2013 | 1 September 2014 |
| Markus Schopp | Austria | 1 April 2013 | 1 June 2013 |
| Peter Hyballa | Germany | 1 June 2012 | 1 April 2013 |
| Franco Foda | Germany | 1 July 2006 | 1 April 2012 |
Sturm Graz Transfers
Recorded arrivals include L. Balbo from Fiorentina and J. Mitchell from Feyenoord as transfers, while N. Weiper joined from FSV Mainz 05 on loan. A. Camara, P. Kiedl, E. Soglo and S. Włodarczyk are listed as returning from loans. Free-agent additions include A. Helac and J. Heil from TSV Hartberg, while S. Seidl, P. Petrović and P. Koller are recorded as transfers. J. Halwachs and E. Roche also arrived, with no transfer type stated. Earlier movements include R. Fosso as a transfer and G. Mamageishvili as a free agent.
Latest player transfers from
| Player | Team from | Transfer type | Transfer date |
|---|---|---|---|
| J. Quarshie |
Southampton
|
Loan | 26 August 2026 |
| V. Matoshi |
FC Thun
|
Transfer | 23 August 2026 |
| L. Balbo |
Fiorentina
|
Transfer | 28 July 2026 |
| L. Balbo |
Fiorentina
|
Transfer | 28 July 2026 |
| J. Halwachs |
TSV Hartberg
|
- | 26 July 2026 |
| N. Weiper |
FSV Mainz 05
|
Loan | 16 July 2026 |
| J. Mitchell |
Feyenoord
|
Transfer | 30 June 2026 |
| J. Halwachs |
TSV Hartberg
|
- | 29 June 2026 |
| P. Kiedl |
Ried
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| A. Camara |
Nantes
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
| J. Heil |
TSV Hartberg
|
Free agent | 24 June 2026 |
| A. Helac |
TSV Hartberg
|
Free agent | 24 June 2026 |
| E. Roche |
Toronto II
|
- | 24 June 2026 |
| E. Soglo |
Zulte Waregem
|
Return from loan | 24 June 2026 |
| P. Petrović |
Javor
|
Transfer | 24 June 2026 |
Recorded departures include P. Kiedl to Hansa Rostock, E. Aiwu to Apollon Limassol and E. Karić to Sporting Kansas City as transfers. Kristjan Bendra, A. Borković, T. Horvat and T. Chukwuani also left through transfers. M. Bignetti, S. Mustafic and D. Lavalée departed as free agents. Loan-related movements include J. Beck’s loan to IF Elfsborg and returns of R. Wilson to Aston Villa U21, J. Gazibegović to 1. FC Köln and T. Oermann to Bayer Leverkusen. O. Christensen returned to Fiorentina, while E. Soglo moved to Zulte Waregem on loan.
Latest player transfers to
| Player | Team to | Transfer type | Transfer date |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Camara |
Randers FC
|
Transfer | 30 August 2026 |
| M. Malone |
Minnesota United FC
|
Transfer | 23 August 2026 |
| J. Mitchell |
Strasbourg
|
Transfer | 18 August 2026 |
| R. Fosso |
Standard Liege
|
Transfer | 13 August 2026 |
| P. Kiedl |
Hansa Rostock
|
Transfer | 29 July 2026 |
| P. Kiedl |
Hansa Rostock
|
Transfer | 28 July 2026 |
| E. Aiwu |
Apollon Limassol
|
Transfer | 16 July 2026 |
| E. Karić |
Sporting Kansas City
|
Transfer | 12 July 2026 |
| E. Karić |
Sporting Kansas City
|
Transfer | 11 July 2026 |
Sturm Graz II
|
- | 30 June 2026 | |
| Kristjan Bendra |
Olimpija Ljubljana
|
Transfer | 30 June 2026 |
| M. Bignetti |
FC Saarbrücken
|
Free agent | 30 June 2026 |
| D. Lavalée |
Standard Liege
|
Free agent | 30 June 2026 |
| S. Mustafic |
NK Osijek
|
Free agent | 30 June 2026 |
| R. Wilson |
Aston Villa U21
|
Return from loan | 29 June 2026 |
Transfers Synthesis
The recorded movement around Sturm Graz in the period shows a mixed squad-refresh cycle rather than a single type of transaction. Arrivals include permanent transfers, free-agent additions, a loan and several returns from temporary spells, with further entries whose type is not specified. The incoming names connect the club with Austrian sides such as TSV Hartberg, FC BW Linz and SCR Altach, as well as clubs in England, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Serbia. Departures likewise combine permanent transfers, free-agent exits, a loan and multiple returns to parent clubs. This pattern indicates movement between Sturm and a wider network of contracted or loan players, but the available lists do not support a complete seasonal balance. No reliable fee information is recorded, so the financial effect cannot be assessed. The current squad reflects both continuity through returning players and change through new additions, viewed against the recorded 33-player roster.
Leagues Sturm Graz has participated in
Sturm Graz has recorded participation in the Austrian Bundesliga and the domestic Cup from 2011 through 2025, with both competitions represented in the latest recorded period. The club also has recent recorded involvement in friendlies, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League, each spanning records through 2025. UEFA Europa Conference League participation is recorded from 2023, but that entry is historical rather than recent in the available timeline. Together, the competitions trace a domestic core alongside recurring European involvement, while friendly fixtures add a separate non-competitive strand.
More about Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz is a football club from Graz, Austria, founded in 1909. Black and white are its defining colors, and the club is widely associated with the nickname the Blackies. That visual identity extends from the traditional striped kit to a circular badge built around black-and-white elements. The name and style evoke energy, while the club’s culture is commonly linked with hard work, resilience and a strong Styrian sense of belonging. The home of Sturm Graz is Merkur Arena, also known as the Liebenauer Stadium, in the Liebenau district of southern Graz. The venue is shared with local rivals Grazer AK and is known for steep stands and a close, high-pressure atmosphere. Its compact design helps create an intense communal setting for home fixtures and reinforces the club’s strong connection with the city. Sturm has long been one of Austria’s most important provincial clubs, challenging the traditional influence of Vienna-based teams and establishing a durable place in the national football landscape. Its strongest historical European period came in the late 1990s under Ivica Osim, when the club developed a notable continental profile. The recorded competition history also places Sturm in the Austrian Bundesliga, domestic cup football and UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League and Conference League competitions. The club operates as a member-based association rather than a privately owned company, anchoring its identity in institutional continuity and community connection. Sporting development is supported by Akademie Steiermark, whose purpose is to help move young players toward senior football. Sturm’s wider model combines Austrian and Styrian talent with international recruitment, particularly among developing players, creating a squad that can compete domestically while providing a pathway toward larger European leagues. The club remains defined by black-and-white tradition, a demanding home environment and a resilient role in Austrian football.
Last matches statistics for Sturm Graz
| match | shots | Poss. | Pass % | Fouls | Cards | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Heart Of Midlothian
0 - 2
Sturm Graz
|
9 / 17 |
|
68 | 15 | 1 | 3 |
|
WSG Wattens
1 - 1
Sturm Graz
|
6 / 15 |
|
73 | 14 | 4 | 0 |
|
Fenerbahçe
2 - 0
Sturm Graz
|
1 / 5 |
|
74 | 19 | 3 | 8 |
|
TSV Hartberg
0 - 2
Sturm Graz
|
5 / 20 |
|
80 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
|
Sturm Graz
0 - 1
Fenerbahçe
|
2 / 19 |
|
81 | 12 | 1 | 5 |
|
Sturm Graz
1 - 0
SCR Altach
|
2 / 17 |
|
77 | 6 | - | 4 |
|
Sturm Graz
1 - 1
Austria Lustenau
|
4 / 12 |
|
82 | 10 | 3 | 5 |
|
Rapid Vienna
3 - 1
Sturm Graz
|
5 / 19 |
|
77 | 11 | 3 1 | 3 |
|
Voitsberg
1 - 4
Sturm Graz
|
0 / 0 |
|
0% | 0 | - | 0 |
|
Sturm Graz
2 - 1
Lask Linz
|
7 / 14 |
|
0% | 14 | 3 | 2 |
Detailed statistics Sturm Graz
Xtra rating history
Last rating points (most recent matches).
shots Sturm Graz
Warnings Sturm Graz
Passes Sturm Graz
Goalkeeper saves Sturm Graz
Latest start lineups Sturm Graz (XI)
Sturm Graz vs Lask Linz
Bundesliga 2026 - 1561927
Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz
Bundesliga 2026 - 1561922
Sturm Graz vs Austria Lustenau
Bundesliga 2026 - 1561914
Sturm Graz vs SCR Altach
Bundesliga 2026 - 1561908
Sturm Graz vs Fenerbahçe
UEFA Champions League 2026 - 1607174
TSV Hartberg vs Sturm Graz
Bundesliga 2026 - 1561902
2026-2027
1st shirt
2025-2026
1st shirt
2021-2022
1st shirt
2021-2022
2nd shirt
2021-2022
3rd shirt
2020-2021
1st shirt
2020-2021
2nd shirt
2020-2021
3rd shirt
2020
Home shirt