Sunderland has completed the signing of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leberkusen on a three-year contract.
“We are back where this club is needed and would like to stay here to write our own history. I feel ready to help the team with my experience, but there is quality as well.
“We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don’t think this will be a big problem. The wait has been a long way, but I’m here and looking forward to it.”
Sports Director Kristjaan Speakman added: “We are delighted to welcome Granite and his family to Sunderland. His arrival is proud of our ambitions and our arrival to build a team that our supporters are proud of in the Premier League.
“He has little to showcase his achievements and quality. He is the most caliber player on and off the field and feels he is perfectly matched with the profile he needs on our team. We look forward to helping him settle down to the wearside.
The 32-year-old surpassed the ranks at FC Basel, winning back-to-back Swiss titles before moving to Borussia Monchen Radbach in the summer of 2012.
Xhaka then moved to Arsenal in July 2016, spending seven years with the Emirates, winning two FA Cups during her time in North London.
He was named Unai Emery’s Gunners Captain in September 2019, replacing Laurent Koscielny, who skipped the team in six of the first eight games of that season.
Xhaka joined Bayer Leverkusen, and he continued his return to the Bundesliga in July 2023.
It proved to be a record first season at Bayarena as Xabi Alonso’s side unbeaten throughout the domestic season, achieving Bundesliga and German Cup Double.
They also reached the UEFA Europa League Final and suffered the only defeat of the campaign against ultimate winner Atalanta.
Xhaka also won 137 caps in Switzerland, representing his country at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
