Sporting Kansas City has signed left back Emir Karić from Sturm Graz. Karić joins the team after two successful seasons in Austria.

What happened?

Emir Karić is leaving SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz and continuing his career in Major League Soccer with Sporting Kansas City.

The Austrian club from Graz announced that the 29-year-old left back is leaving with immediate effect, bringing to an end his two-year spell with the team.

Why it matters for Sporting Kansas City

For Sporting Kansas City, a club that entered 2026 in a new sporting phase under head coach Raphaël Wicky and sporting director David Lee, the arrival of an experienced European full-back fits into a broader process of rebuilding the squad.

As of June 24, 2026, Sporting Kansas City stands 15th in Major League Soccer, with 4 points from 8 games. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | League standing | 15th | | Points | 4 | | Games played | 8 | | Recent form | LLLLW |

What comes next?

The transfer to the United States of America represents an important step forward in Karić's career, but also a confirmation of the status of a player who built a reputation in Graz as a reliable professional.

Sporting Kansas City's next fixture is against St. Louis City at home on August 20, 2026. Karić's experience will be valuable for the team as they look to improve their standing in the league.