Sunderland has appointed Granit Xhaka as their new club captain, despite the fact that the midfielder joined only two weeks ago.
The 32-year-old joined the Black Cats of Bayer Leverkusen on July 30 and received the bracelet for the return of the club to the Premier League.
Xhaka was previously captain of Borussia Monchengladbach and Arsenal, while since 2020 he was worn the bracelet for Switzerland.
Xhaka told the official website of Sunderland: 'It makes me incredibly proud to be the captain of this club and of this team. I hope to show my leadership on and next to the field and to help my teammates in the training ground and about the club.
'It is an honor to be part of the history of Sunderland, in addition to some of the names that the bracelet has worn. People who know me know exactly what they will get – I am someone who demands a lot. I am a winner and I want to win and I expect the same from my teammates. '
Sunderland -Baas Le Bris said: 'In the Premier League it will be important to have consistency, maturity and experience. Granit brings all these qualities. His behavior so far has been very impressive and on the field you can see that his level is high.
'Others around him can feel this influence, and his leadership will support the team if we adapt to a different environment and new challenges and opportunities are confronted. The role of Granit will also be part of a new leadership team, which will be completed after the end of the summer transfer window. '
Xhaka has 137 caps for Switzerland and won the double with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023-24 season, while he also won two FA cups with Arsenal.
In 2019, Xhaka was stripped of the Arsenal captain after he reacted angry with fans who held him while he was replaced in a match against Crystal Palace.
Sunderland has been heavily active in the transfer market because they want to ensure that they can have an impact in the Premier League.
In addition to Xhaka, they have brought in Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adingra, Robin Roefs, Arthur Masuaku and Omar Alderetete.
Enzo Le Fee has also signed permanently, while Marc Guiu has joined Chelsea.
Sunderland will receive their Premier League campaign on Saturday when they organize West Ham.