Granit Xhaka 'excited and feeling the energy' as ex-Arsenal star makes move to Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen
Updated 30/07/2025 at 13:11 GMT+1
Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka. The Black Cats are embarking on their first season in the Premier League since 2017 and have already spent big in an attempt to stay in the top flight. Xhaka is an experienced operator, having won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen and made almost 300 appearances for Arsenal.
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Sunderland have completed the signing of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year deal.
The deal, for an undisclosed fee, represents a statement of intent from Sunderland, who are in the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Xhaka told the club website: "I’m very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. It’s exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling.
"We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history. I feel that I’m ready to help the team with my experience, but with quality as well.
"We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don’t think this will be a big problem. It’s been a long time to wait, but I’m here now and I’m looking forward to it."
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: "We’re delighted to welcome Granit and his family to Sunderland. His arrival is a significant endorsement of our ambition and our desire to build a team our supporters can be proud of in the Premier League.
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Granit Xhaka
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"His accomplishments and quality need little introduction – he’s a player of the highest calibre on and off the field, who we feel is the perfect match to the profile required in our team. We look forward to helping him settle on Wearside and are excited to see the impact he can make on the field and within our dressing room."
The 32-year-old progressed through the ranks at FC Basel and won consecutive Swiss titles before moving to Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2012.
Xhaka then moved to Arsenal in July 2016 and spent seven years at the Emirates, winning the FA Cup twice during his time in north London.
He was named The Gunners captain by Unai Emery in September 2019, replacing Laurent Koscielny, who skippered the team in six of their first eight games that season.
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A return to the Bundesliga followed in July 2023, as Xhaka joined Bayer Leverkusen.
It proved to be a record-breaking first season at the BayArena, as Xabi Alonso's side went the entire domestic season unbeaten and achieved a Bundesliga and German Cup double.
They also reached the UEFA Europa League final, suffering their only defeat of the campaign against eventual winners Atalanta.
Xhaka has also earned 137 caps for Switzerland, representing his country at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
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