Sunderland have completed a deal for Granit Xhaka with the vastly experienced Switzerland midfielder persuaded to move to Wearside by the “energy and mentality” around the club following promotion.
The Black Cats have paid a reported £13million with another £4.3m in potential add-ons for the 32-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
It is a major coup for Sunderland, who secured a place in the Premier League after beating Sheffield United at Wembley in the Championship play-off final in May.
Xhaka finished 16th in the Ballon d’Or voting last year and his nous in midfield will be invaluable for Regis Le Bris’ side, who were the youngest in the second tier last season.
Xhaka told the club’s official 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.”
It is a massive statement – Le Bris
Xhaka is expected to drive standards on and off the pitch and Le Bris was delighted to have signed a player of such calibre.
“First of all, it’s a massive statement about the attractiveness of the club,” said the Frenchman. “If a player of that dimension says yes to our project, it means something.
“I have to congratulate the people behind the scenes for completing the move. It makes a big noise and that is something we are looking to do this season.
“For the squad, it’s really important. We started our recruitment with talented young players but the second layer is to balance the squad with more experience. With what he has achieved in the game, Granit is really good for that.
“It’s really clear what he will bring to the squad. At the same time, his level his high.
“He brings many things for the balance of the squad. He’s a captain, a leader, has strong experience in the Premier League and the national team. This piece in our structure will be really important to balance the squad. We’re really happy.
“He’s still at top with a specific style of play so it’s really important to feel these pillars in our structure because it gives confidence to everyone for the Premier League.”
‘Xhaka is a player of the highest calibre’
Sunderland 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.
“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.”
Granit Xhaka stats
Xhaka began his senior career at Basel in 2010 before joining Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012, by which time he had established himself as an international and scored his first goal for the Nati.
He joined Arsenal for £35m in 2016 and made 297 appearances in all competitions for the club, winning the FA Cup in 2017 and 2020 and reaching the 2018/19 Europa League before returning to Germany with Leverkusen in July 2023.
Part of Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bundesliga-winning side in 2024, he has made 33 appearances in each of the last two seasons, contributing a total of five goals. All seven of his assists came in 2024/25.
A combative player, Xhaka was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in November 2019 after a heated exchange with home fans at the Emirates Stadium.
Why have Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka?
Back in the top flight for the first time since 2017, Sunderland are lacking players with Premier League experience as they bid to bely the odds as the favourites for relegation.
Xhaka has made 225 appearances at the top end of the division, including 17 goals, 24 assists and the delivery of more than 200 corners.
Alonso used Xhaka in all 10 of Leverkusen’s games during their run to the last 16 of last season’s Champions League, starting him nine times.
The three-time Swiss Footballer of the Year could also help to fill the creative 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 last arrival, either. Sunderland are eyeing a move for Bologna centre-half Jhon Lucumi while a goalkeeper is believed to be another target for boss Regis Le Bris.
Sunderland transfers 2025/26
Sunderland have invested heavily in midfield this summer, signing Enzo Le Fee – a loanee of theirs last season – on a permanent basis for £19.3m from Roma and breaking their transfer record to add Habib Diarra from Strasbourg for £30m.
Defensive midfielder Noah Sadiki joined from Union SG for £17.5m, while wingers Simon Adingra (£21m from Brighton) and Chemsdine Talbi (£19.5m from Club Brugge) are also newcomers.
Left-back Reinildo was a free transfer from Atletico Madrid, while midfielder Matthew Burns (Coleraine) and goalkeeper Isaac Allan (Lincoln City) are ones for the future.
When does Sunderland’s 2025/26 Premier League season start?
The first round of Premier League matches in 2025/26 will be on the weekend of August 15/16/17/18 2025, with Sunderland at home to West Ham on Saturday, August 16 at 15:00 BST (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT).
The game against the Hammers is not being shown on live TV in the UK.
The last round of matches this season will all start at the same time on May 24 2026. No rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other and there will be no fixture on December 24.
Another blow for Leverkusen
Alonso’s decision to join Real Madrid was always likely to prove the end of an era.
Should Xhaka depart, he will join the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah in leaving the BayArena.
New boss Erik ten Hag last week stated his desire to keep Xhaka but it looks as though the player’s desire to move on has been granted.
Ten Hag has brought in Jarell Quansah, Malik Tillman, Ibrahim Maza and Mark Flekken this summer.
