Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by Gabriel

Roman Bürki is a Swiss professional goalkeeper best known for his years with Borussia Dortmund, the Switzerland national team and St. Louis CITY SC in Major League Soccer. Born on November 14, 1990, in Münsingen, Switzerland, Bürki grew up in a football-oriented family and followed his father into goalkeeping before establishing himself at the highest levels of European and American football.
Unlike many footballers who keep almost every aspect of their private lives away from the spotlight, several important details about Bürki’s family are publicly documented. His father was a goalkeeper, his younger brother Marco also became a professional footballer, and in 2026 Roman married Oana Sirbu. Here is a closer look at Roman Bürki’s wife, children, parents and siblings as of now.
Who Is Roman Bürki’s Wife?
Roman Bürki is married to Oana Sirbu, a Romanian real-estate agent who has lived in the United States. The couple began their relationship around the middle of 2023, after Bürki had moved to the United States to continue his career with St. Louis CITY SC.
Oana was previously married to former Romanian international footballer Răzvan Cociș. Following that relationship, she remained in the United States with her two sons and later built a career in real estate.
Roman and Oana gradually made their relationship public, sharing moments from their life together on social media. In 2024, reports in Romania noted that the couple had celebrated their first anniversary together.
The relationship took another major step in 2025 when Bürki proposed to Oana during a trip to Disneyland. Her two sons were reportedly present for the engagement, highlighting the close family relationship that had developed between Bürki and Oana’s children.
Roman Bürki and Oana Sirbu married on June 30, 2026. Their wedding took place outdoors at Castillo de Bendinat in Mallorca, Spain. Following the marriage, Oana began using the Bürki surname publicly.
Does Roman Bürki Have Children?
Roman Bürki has not publicly confirmed having biological children of his own. However, through his marriage to Oana Sirbu, he is a stepfather to her two sons.
Oana’s boys are from her previous marriage to former Romanian footballer Răzvan Cociș. Reports covering Roman and Oana’s wedding showed that the children were closely involved in the celebration and described Bürki as their stepfather.
The boys were also present when Bürki proposed to Oana, suggesting that his relationship with them had become an important part of the couple’s family life before the wedding.
Because the children are not professional public figures themselves, detailed information about their private lives is generally kept outside football coverage. As of now, no reliable source has reported that Roman Bürki has a biological son or daughter.
Who Are Roman Bürki’s Parents?
Roman Bürki was born to Martin Bürki and Karin Bürki and grew up in Münsingen, a municipality in the canton of Bern. His parents played an important role in his upbringing, and Roman has spoken publicly about the strong connection he maintains with his family and hometown.
His attachment to his parents is also reflected in a tattoo carrying the initials of three particularly important family members: his parents Martin and Karin and his younger brother Marco.
Roman Bürki’s Father: Martin Bürki
Roman Bürki’s father is Martin Bürki, who has his own background in football. Martin played as a goalkeeper for FC Münsingen and therefore provided Roman with an early example to follow between the posts.
Roman has recalled watching his father play when he was a child. Martin also helped train and guide his sons during their early years, and his goalkeeping background eventually influenced Roman’s decision to become a goalkeeper himself.
One particularly important moment came when Roman was a young teenager. After he was rejected by FC Thun, he reportedly did not want to attend a trial with Young Boys. His father insisted that he go, a decision Roman later said he was grateful for because it helped keep his football development moving forward.
Outside football, Martin Bürki operated a heating-installation business in Münsingen. Roman has repeatedly spoken warmly about his father’s influence and about the importance of remaining connected to his parents despite spending much of his professional career abroad.
Roman Bürki’s Mother: Karin Bürki
Roman Bürki’s mother is Karin Bürki. She has maintained a considerably lower public profile than her husband and sons, and relatively little verified information about her career or personal background has been published.
What is clear is that Karin remains an important member of Roman’s close family circle. Her initial is included in the family tattoo Bürki has discussed publicly, alongside those of his father Martin and brother Marco.
Roman has also spoken about returning to Münsingen to spend time with his parents whenever his schedule allows. His comments about home and family suggest that maintaining a connection with his parents has remained important throughout a career that has taken him from Switzerland to Germany and eventually the United States.
Who Is Roman Bürki’s Brother?
Roman Bürki’s publicly documented sibling is his younger brother, Marco Bürki. Born on July 10, 1993, Marco also became a professional footballer, although unlike Roman, he developed as a defender rather than a goalkeeper.
Marco Bürki
Marco Bürki came through the youth system at BSC Young Boys and made his senior breakthrough with the Bern club. He later represented teams including FC Thun, Zulte Waregem and FC Luzern before returning to Thun.
Although both brothers grew up around goalkeeping because of their father, Marco chose a different path. He has explained that Roman initially was not always interested in playing in goal either, but eventually began attending goalkeeper training with their father. Marco would then become the player taking shots at his older brother during those sessions.
The brothers have maintained a close relationship throughout their professional careers. Roman has previously spoken about spending time with Marco when returning home to Switzerland, while Marco has publicly expressed pride in everything his older brother achieved with Borussia Dortmund, Switzerland and later in Major League Soccer.
In 2026, Marco enjoyed a memorable period of his own career with FC Thun. That same year also brought major family developments away from football: Roman married Oana, while reports stated that Marco and his wife Fernanda were expecting a child.
Roman Bürki’s Football Family Background
Football has been part of the Bürki family for more than one generation. Martin Bürki played as a goalkeeper, Roman went on to become an international goalkeeper, and Marco established a professional career as a defender.
Roman has credited his parents with helping him throughout his development and has described the family as close-knit. Growing up in Münsingen also remained important to his identity even after moves to clubs such as Young Boys, Grasshopper, Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund.
During his Borussia Dortmund years, Bürki explained that he continued to regard Münsingen as his true home because it was where his football journey began and where much of his family remained. Whenever possible, he returned to see his parents, grandparents and brother.
Roman Bürki’s Previous Relationship With Marlen Valderrama-Alvaréz
Before his relationship with Oana Sirbu, Roman Bürki was publicly linked with Marlen Valderrama-Alvaréz. Bürki confirmed the relationship in late 2019 and spoke positively about her in an interview at the time.
The couple remained together for several years before separating in 2022. Their split appears to have been amicable. When Roman married Oana in 2026, Marlen was among the people who publicly congratulated the newly married couple.
Roman subsequently began his relationship with Oana in 2023, and the couple married three years later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roman Bürki’s Family
Who is Roman Bürki’s wife?
Roman Bürki’s wife is Oana Sirbu, a Romanian real-estate professional. They began dating around mid-2023 and married on June 30, 2026, in Mallorca, Spain.
Is Roman Bürki married?
Yes. Roman Bürki married Oana Sirbu in 2026 following approximately three years together.
Does Roman Bürki have children?
There are no publicly confirmed biological children for Roman Bürki as of now. He is, however, the stepfather of Oana’s two sons from her previous marriage to Răzvan Cociș.
Who is Roman Bürki’s father?
Roman Bürki’s father is Martin Bürki. He was a goalkeeper for FC Münsingen and later operated a heating-installation business. His football background helped influence Roman’s development as a goalkeeper.
Who is Roman Bürki’s mother?
Roman Bürki’s mother is Karin Bürki. She has generally remained outside the public spotlight, although Roman has publicly demonstrated the importance of both of his parents in his life.
Does Roman Bürki have a brother?
Yes. His younger brother is professional footballer Marco Bürki, a defender born in 1993 who has represented clubs including Young Boys, FC Thun, Zulte Waregem and FC Luzern.
Are Roman Bürki and Marco Bürki related?
Yes. Roman and Marco Bürki are brothers. Roman is approximately three years older than Marco, and both developed professional football careers after growing up in Münsingen, Switzerland.
Was Roman Bürki’s father also a goalkeeper?
Yes. Martin Bürki played goalkeeper for FC Münsingen. Roman watched his father play as a child and later followed him into the same position.

Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
