Sunderland AFC has officially announced the signing of the Swiss international midfielder Granit Xhaka, which marks a stunning return to the Premier League for the former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen star.
Sunderland AFC is pleased to announce the signing of Granit Xhaka, depending on international approval.
The midfielder arrives from Bayer 04 Leverkusen for an unknown compensation and signs a three -year contract in the Stadium of Light.
Ever-present at the height of the game over the past decade, Xhaka Arsenal represented 225 times in the Premier League and won the Emirates FA Cup twice, while also lending the Gunners.
A remarkable period followed his arrival in the Bayarena in 2023, because the record-storable invincible season of Leverkusen Xabi Alonso's side saw their very first Bundesliga title and second DFB-Pokal win.
Xhaka, in 16th place in the Ballon d'Or votes in 2024, has had leader Switzerland since 2020 and is the registration elderly of the country with 137 caps.
Upon arrival, Xhaka said: “I am very proud to be here. When I spoke with the club, I was excited and felt the energy, and the mentality that all people and players have. It is exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. It has been a big problem. It has been a long time to wait, but I am looking forward to it.”
Kristjaan Speakman voegde eraan toe: “We zijn verheugd om Granit en zijn familie te verwelkomen in Sunderland. Zijn aankomst is een belangrijke goedkeuring van onze ambitie en onze wens om een team te bouwen waar onze supporters trots op kunnen zijn in de Premier League. Zijn prestaties en kwaliteit hebben weinig introductie nodig – we zijn opgewonden en zijn opgewonden en zijn opgewonden om te zien dat de impact is om te zien dat de impact is om te zien That the impact is to see that the impact is the field and in our dressing room.
Xhaka started his career at FC Concordia Basel before he came to FC Basel in 2002, 10 years old.
After he had risen by the ranks, including a member of the Onder-15 team that won the Swiss championship with a 100%win record, he made ahead to the senior team under Thorsten Fink prior to the 2020-11 season.
He debuted in a UEFA Champions League -similar play against Debreceni VSC and scored within four minutes, with his first league performance after shortly thereafter.
After winning back-to-back Swiss titles, Xhaka joined Borussia Mönchengladbach in May 2012 and was appointed in the Bundesliga team of the season for the 2014-15 campaign.
A seven-year-old association with Arsenal started in May 2016 and included two Emirates FA Cup successes, two FA Community Shield victories and 297 performances.
Xhaka scored 23 goals and contributed 29 assists in North Londs, confirming his place as a fan favorite at the Emirates Stadium before he went to Leverkusen in July 2023.
Further success followed in the Bayarena, when Leverkusen won a historic first Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal during an invincible domestic season that also saw them reach the UEFA Europa League final.
Xhaka was named Swiss football player of the year in 2017, 2022 and 2023 and has been an integral member of the national team since 2011, with FIFA World Cups 2014, 2018 and 2022.
The 32-year-old midfielder is wearing the number 34 shirt.