Jimmy Durmaz was introduced by AIK last week.
Then Ilyas Durmaz finally managed to exhale.
– I promised the fans, so it’s good that he’s home now, says the 22-year-old.
Ilias Durmaz was the scorer in AIK’s first match of the year. The new signing from Vasalund won the ball high and made it 2-0 in the second half after being substituted in the first half.
– Awesome, great fun. It gives good confidence, but I don’t focus on it too much. It’s more about delving into how ‘Brännan’ (Andreas Brännström) wants to play and join the team, it’s just a bonus I get, says the offensive midfielder after the debut.
“I had a serious talk…”
When AIK goes to Portugal for a training camp at the end of January, brother Jimmy Durmaz, 33, joins the team. Sportbladet had already managed to reveal in December that the former national team player was close to AIK, but it took until last week before it became clear.
– IM so happy. I promised the fans, says Ilias Durmaz, so it’s good that he’s home now.
Were you worried it wouldn’t come off?
– Done. My brother had many options, but I managed to get him home. it’s a pleasure. I can’t wait to get started with him.
How big is your role in that?
– Not very big. I picked it up, but it was more of a joke. Then we had a serious talk with him… No, but in the end it’s up to him to choose. He chose AIK because he wanted to come here. He has nothing to do with me.
“I was kidding about her”
Getting the chance to play together is something the brothers were hoping for.
– We talked about it all the time. It’s a dream come true. He and I have been joking about it since we started talking. It’s a really fun feeling.
Ilias Durmaz played in Division 1 with Vasalund last season and Jamie Durmaz in Turkey’s Fatih Karagumruk. That they will play in Allsvenskan and AIK next season was not something the younger brother would have thought a few months ago.
– I didn’t think so, but he turns around quickly. We always had a dream and it finally came true. Football is changing quickly, he says, so you should never give up.