Swiss international Granit Xhaka has completed a surprise move to Premier League newcomers Sunderland, signing a three‑year contract upon their return to England’s top flight. The 32‑year‑old midfielder departs Bayer Leverkusen after two highly successful seasons and returns to English football—where he previously spent seven years with Arsenal—bringing his leadership and experience to the Stadium of Light.
Transfer Details & Contract
Sunderland agreed to pay in the region of £17 million (approximately €20 million), structured as an initial payment of around £13–17 million with up to £4–5 million in performance‑based add‑ons. The contract runs until June 2028, meaning Xhaka would be tied to the club for three full seasons after completing his medical and formalities.
From Leverkusen Resistance to Final Agreement
The deal faced resistance from new Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag, who publicly described Xhaka as “too important” to let go and insisted the club would not lose another leader after earlier departures of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Jonathan Tah. Nonetheless, Sunderland increased their bid significantly to meet Leverkusen’s valuation, ultimately persuading the German club to authorize the transfer.
Player Profile & Career Highlights
Granit Xhaka began his career at FC Basel before joining Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he established himself as a technically gifted midfielder and natural leader. He then moved to Arsenal in 2016 for approximately £30 million, where over seven seasons he made 225 Premier League appearances, scored 17 goals, provided 24 assists, and won two FA Cups. In July 2023, he transferred to Bayer Leverkusen, where he helped the team secure an unbeaten Bundesliga title and DFB‑Pokal in his debut season, also reaching the Europa League final.
With 137 caps for Switzerland, Xhaka holds the national record for appearances and has captained his country across multiple major tournaments, including the UEFA Euros and FIFA World Cups.
Sunderland’s Ambitious Reinforcement Drive
As part of a major recruitment push ahead of the 2025–26 season, Sunderland has already invested over £100 million in new players, with Xhaka representing arguably their most high-profile capture. Other notable signings include Simon Adingra, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, and Enzo La Fée. The board sees Xhaka as pivotal in providing midfield stability, top‑flight experience, and a leadership anchor for a young squad.
Xhaka expressed enthusiasm about his return:
“I’m very proud to be here… I felt the energy and the mentality that all the people and players have… it’s exactly what I wanted,” he said after signing.
What He Brings & Expectations
Xhaka’s arrival is widely regarded as a transformative moment for the Black Cats:
- Elite-level experience: His Premier League pedigree and leadership credentials are rare for a newly promoted side.
- Playing style: Known as a midfield “metronome,” Xhaka brings composure, passing range, and tactical intelligence to Sunderland’s engine room—qualities that aided Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign.
- Mental resilience: A captain both internationally and at club level, he is viewed as a stabilizing presence during what promises to be a challenging season.
With Sunderland set to open their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham United on August 16, Xhaka is expected to be a key fixture in manager Régis Le Bris’s first XI, offering ambition and belief to a squad hungry to establish itself in the top flight.
Granit Xhaka’s move to Sunderland reflects not only a significant statement of intent from the club but also a full-circle return to English football for a player whose career has been defined by leadership, experience, and winning mentality.
