Granit Xhaka Completes Sunderland Transfer

Sunderland have completed the signing of former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka on a three-year deal, with the transfer fee reported to be around £17 million including add-ons. Xhaka, 32, returns to the Premier League after helping Leverkusen win a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023-24. The Swiss international expressed excitement about the move, describing it as the biggest challenge of his career and emphasizing his intent to help Sunderland establish themselves in the top flight. The club, newly promoted for their first Premier League season since 2017, have made Xhaka their sixth or seventh signing of the summer. His leadership and experience are expected to play a key role in guiding Sunderland's young squad. Sunderland reportedly faced competition for Xhaka, but he personally pushed for the transfer.