Sunderland AFC have officially finalised the signing of Swiss international midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, in what is a huge show of purpose ahead of their Premier League return.
The former Arsenal captain will now return to the English Premier League on a three-year contract worth an estimated €20 million (£17.3 million).
The agreement, which includes an initial sum of approximately £13 million plus future add-ons, represents a significant coup for the Black Cats. Xhaka, 32, adds extensive expertise and leadership to the Stadium of Light.
Xhaka, who spent seven successful years at Arsenal and most recently played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten domestic season, in which they won both the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal, will be a valuable addition to Sunderland’s roster.
Upon completing his move, Xhaka expressed his enthusiasm: “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.”
Sunderland’s Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman, highlighted the significance of the signing: “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. 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.”
