Xhaka joins Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen, returns to Premier League after two years

Newly promoted Sunderland completed the signing of former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka van Bayer Leverkusen for a three-year-old deal, the club announced on Wednesday.

Although the exact transfer costs were not announced, it was reportedly about £ 17.3 million (USD 23 million).

Xhaka left the Gunners in 2023 and won the Bundesliga and German Cup with Leverkusen during his spell at Leverkusen.

«I am very proud to be here. When I spoke with the club, I was excited and I felt the energy and mentality that all people and players have. It is exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back where this club should be, and we want to stay here to write our own history,» said Xhaka.

«I feel that I am ready to help the team with my experience, but also with quality. We have to find ourselves on the field, but I don’t think this will be a big problem. It is a long time ago to wait, but I am here and I am looking forward to it.»

Xhaka’s switch to Sunderland is the latest signature in a busy transfer window for the club, promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs of the championship.

Sunderland opens its league campaign on August 16 against West Ham in the stadium of light. The sports director Kristjaan Speakman said he was happy with the arrival of Xhaka.

«His arrival is an important approval of our ambition and our desire to build a team that our supporters can be proud of in the Premier League,» he said.

«His performance and quality need little introduction – he is a player of the highest caliber on and next to the field, which we think is the perfect match with the profile needed in our team.»

Xhaka was named Swiss footballer of the year in 2017, 2022 and 2023 and has been an integral member of the National Team of Switzerland since 2011, with FIFA World Cups 2014, 2018 and 2022.