Sunderland have accomplished a deal for Granit Xhaka with the vastly skilled Switzerland midfielder persuaded to maneuver to Wearside by the “vitality and mentality” across the membership following promotion.
The Black Cats have paid a reported £13million with one other £4.3m in potential add-ons to Bayer Leverkusen for the 32-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract on the Stadium of Light.
It is a significant coup for Sunderland, who secured a spot within the Premier League after beating Sheffield United at Wembley within the Championship play-off closing in May.
Xhaka completed sixteenth within the Ballon d’Or voting final 12 months and his nous in midfield shall be invaluable for Regis Le Bris’ aspect, who had been the youngest within the second tier final season.
Xhaka advised the membership’s official web site: “I’m very proud to be right here. When I spoke to the membership, I used to be excited and I felt the vitality, and the mentality that each one the folks and gamers have. It’s precisely what I needed, and I’ve an excellent feeling.
“We are again to the place this membership must be, and we wish to keep right here to write down our personal historical past. I really feel that I’m prepared to assist the staff with my expertise however with high quality as effectively.
“We want to search out ourselves on the pitch, however I don’t suppose this shall be a giant drawback. It’s been a very long time to attend, however I’m right here now and I’m wanting ahead to it.”
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It is an enormous assertion – Le Bris
Xhaka is anticipated to drive requirements on and off the pitch and Le Bris was delighted to have signed a participant of such calibre.
“First of all, it’s an enormous assertion concerning the attractiveness of the membership,” mentioned the Frenchman. “If a participant of that dimension says sure to our venture, it means one thing.
“I’ve to congratulate the folks behind the scenes for finishing the transfer. It makes a giant noise and that’s one thing we want to do that season.
“For the squad, it’s actually vital. We began our recruitment with gifted younger gamers however the second layer is to stability the squad with extra expertise. With what he has achieved within the sport, Granit is absolutely good for that.
“It’s actually clear what he’ll convey to the squad. At the identical time, his degree his excessive.
“He brings many issues for the stability of the squad. He’s a captain, a pacesetter, has robust expertise within the Premier League and the nationwide staff. This piece in our construction shall be actually vital to stability the squad. We’re actually completely satisfied.
“He’s nonetheless at prime with a selected fashion of play so it’s actually vital to really feel these pillars in our construction as a result of it provides confidence to everybody for the Premier League.”
‘Xhaka is a participant of the very best calibre’
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: “We’re delighted to welcome Granit and his household to Sunderland. His arrival is a major endorsement of our ambition and our want to construct a staff our supporters may be happy with within the Premier League.
“His accomplishments and high quality want little introduction – he’s a participant of the very best calibre on and off the sector, who we really feel is the right match to the profile required in our staff. We sit up for serving to him decide on Wearside and are excited to see the impression he could make on the sector and inside our dressing room.”
Granit Xhaka stats
Xhaka started his senior profession at Basel in 2010 earlier than becoming a member of Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012, by which era he had established himself as a global and scored his first objective for the Nati.
He joined Arsenal for £35m in 2016 and made 297 appearances in all competitions for the membership, profitable the FA Cup in 2017 and 2020 and reaching the 2018/19 Europa League earlier than returning to Germany with Leverkusen in July 2023.
Part of Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bundesliga-winning aspect in 2024, he has made 33 appearances in every of the final two seasons, contributing a complete of 5 objectives. All seven of his assists got here in 2024/25.
A combative participant, Xhaka was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in November 2019 after a heated change with house followers on the Emirates Stadium.
Why have Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka?
Back within the prime flight for the primary time since 2017, Sunderland are missing gamers with Premier League expertise as they bid to bely the chances because the favourites for relegation.
Xhaka has made 225 appearances on the prime finish of the division, together with 17 objectives, 24 assists and the supply of greater than 200 corners.
Alonso used Xhaka in all 10 of Leverkusen’s video games throughout their run to the final 16 of final season’s Champions League, beginning him 9 instances.
The three-time Swiss Footballer of the Year may additionally assist to fill the inventive gaps left by the departures of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund for £32m and Tom Watson to Brighton & Hove Albion for £10m.
Xhaka is unlikely to be the final arrival, both. Sunderland are eyeing a transfer for Bologna centre-half Jhon Lucumi whereas a goalkeeper is believed to be one other goal for boss Regis Le Bris.
Sunderland transfers 2025/26
Sunderland have invested closely in midfield this summer time, signing Enzo Le Fee – a loanee of theirs final season – on a everlasting foundation for £19.3m from Roma and breaking their switch document so as to add Habib Diarra from Strasbourg for £30m.
Defensive midfielder Noah Sadiki joined from Union SG for £17.5m, whereas wingers Simon Adingra (£21m from Brighton) and Chemsdine Talbi (£19.5m from Club Brugge) are additionally newcomers.
Left-back Reinildo was a free switch from Atletico Madrid, whereas midfielder Matthew Burns (Coleraine) and goalkeeper Isaac Allan (Lincoln City) are ones for the longer term.
When does Sunderland’s 2025/26 Premier League season begin?
The first round of Premier League matches in 2025/26 shall be on the weekend of August 15/16/17/18 2025, with Sunderland at house to West Ham on Saturday, August 16 at 15:00 BST (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT).
The sport towards the Hammers just isn’t being proven on reside TV within the UK.
The final spherical of matches this season will all begin on the identical time on May 24 2026. No rounds will happen inside 60 hours of one another and there shall be no fixture on December 24.
Another blow for Leverkusen
Alonso’s resolution to hitch Real Madrid was at all times more likely to show the top of an period.
Should Xhaka depart, he’ll be part of the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah in leaving the BayArena.
New boss Erik ten Hag final week said his want to maintain Xhaka nevertheless it appears to be like as if the participant’s want to maneuver on has been granted.
Ten Hag has introduced in Jarell Quansah, Malik Tillman, Ibrahim Maza and Mark Flekken this summer time.
