Alexander Merkel
Midfielder · FC Astana · №21
Recent matches
| Date | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
FC Astana
Yelimay Semey
Premier League
|
4:0 | |
Atyrau
FC Astana
Premier League
|
2:3 | |
Kyzyl-Zhar
FC Astana
Premier League
|
1:1 | |
FC Astana
Okzhetpes
Premier League
|
2:1 | |
Ulytau
FC Astana
Premier League
|
0:2 | |
FC Astana
Altay
Premier League
|
4:1 | |
FC Astana
Dinamo Tirana
UEFA Europa Conference League
|
1:4 | |
Zhenys
Aktobe
Premier League
|
1:0 | |
|
Kyzyl-Zhar
Zhenys
Premier League
|
4:0 | |
|
Zhenys
Okzhetpes
Premier League
|
1:1 |
Season statistics
| Competition | Season | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 2026 | 11 |
| UEFA Europa Conference League | 2026 | 1 |
About the player
Alexander Merkel was born in Almaty, but his football education happened in Germany, where his family moved when he was six. His father, Vasily Merkel, had played for FC Kairat, and the younger Merkel came through German youth national teams before eventually choosing to represent Kazakhstan at senior level.
His career began with a Serie A title with AC Milan in 2010–11. What followed was a series of moves involving co-ownership deals and loans. Genoa paid €5 million for half his rights in 2011, then another €5 million a year later for the rest, only for Merkel to be loaned straight back to Milan. Udinese repeated the pattern in 2013, paying in two instalments to secure him fully, but loans to Watford and Grasshopper Club Zurich, and just six league appearances in three years at the club, told their own story. A season at Pisa in 2016 produced no appearances at all.
A move to Saudi Arabia brought a second trophy, the King Cup with Al-Faisaly in 2020–21, before spells in Turkey with Gaziantep, in the UAE with Hatta, and in Iran with Nassaji Mazandaran. He arrived at FC Astana in 2026 by way of Zhenis, wearing the number 21 shirt.
At international level, Merkel's involvement with Kazakhstan has been brief.
