Noahkai Banks: Who is the USA youth international climbing the Augsburg ranks?

Augsburg prospect Noahkai Banks has been catching the eye as a fully fledged pillar of the team's defence, even earning a maiden senior call-up for the USA. What else is there to know about the American defender?

Data correct as of 11 February 2026

Noahkai Banks

Age: 19 (born 1 December 2006)

Club: Augsburg
Position: Centre-back
Country: USA (12 youth caps)

After joining Augsburg at U10s level, Banks made the step up to the U17s in 2021, aged just 14. He's since played 20 times at that level, whilst making 21 appearances for the U19s. The 6'3" defender also got his first taste of Germany's fourth tier in 2023/24, featuring in six Regionalliga matches, before being kitted out with a three-year professional contract ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

In 2025/26, Banks has become a regular starter for Augsburg, starting every game between Matchdays 6 and 18. Most notably of all, Banks scored minutes into his third Bundesliga start in a 3-1 home win against Wolfsburg.

Already capped five times by the US U17s, the Augsburg youth product made his U19s debut in a March 2024 friendly against England, marking the occasion with the match-winning assist for Borussia Dortmund's Cole Campbell. In September 2025, he was called up to the US senior team for the first time, although he didn't make an appearance in the friendly against Japan.

Plays a bit like: Mats Hummels

It's very early days for Banks, who's still mastering his rangy frame. That said, the American's performances so far have showcased a real command of the defensive third, married with a pretty expansive passing range. If he continues along his current trajectory, the Augsburg prospect could mature into a defender of a similar ilk to former Dortmund captain, Mats Hummels.

Did you know?

Banks was born in Hawaii to an American father and a half-German mother. 

He says: “I lived in Washington, D.C. till I was four or five years old. Then my mom and dad parted ways, and I went to Germany with my mom. And ever since I have lived there. But I travelled to America all the time to visit my dad or my dad's family.”

What they're saying

"It has been a great [season] so far because I didn't expect to play that much, to be absolutely honest with you. The coaches have given me a lot of trust, a lot of minutes." - Noahkai Banks on his breakthrough 2025/26 campaign

"Noahkai is a very talented centre-back, who we believe is capable of making the leap to the Bundesliga. He showed last season that he can adapt quickly to a higher level, with his performances for the 23s earning him his place in the first team." - Augsburg sporting director Marinko Jurendic

About the clubs

Augsburg

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