Xhaka Joins Sunderland in £17m Shock Move

Granit Xhaka has joined Sunderland in a deal worth £17m (Picture: SAFC)

Granit Xhaka says he will face the ‘biggest challenge of his career’ after joining newly-promoted Premier League club Sunderland on a three-year deal.

The former Arsenal captain ended his two-year spell with Bayer Leverkusen to join Sunderland, who were promoted from the Championship via the play-offs.

Promoted clubs have found the jump to the Premier League incredibly tough in recent years but Xhaka is determined to help Sunderland consolidate their place in the top-flight.

The Black Cats finished fourth in the Championship last season before beating Coventry City and Sheffield United in the play-offs to book their return to the Premier League.

‘I’m very proud to be here,’ he told Sunderland’s official website . ‘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.

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‘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.’

Xhaka added: ‘This may be the biggest challenge of my career so far. But I took it and I want to show that day-by-day and on the pitch as well.

‘I am sure this team will give everything on the pitch. From the first whistle ‘til the end. Whatever happens, we need the support of the club from the fans but we will give everything and hopefully we can achieve our goals.’

Xhaka will add to the 225 Premier League appearances he made for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023.

After leaving the Gunners, Xhaka starred in Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable 2023-24 campaign in which the German club won the Bundesliga and both domestic cup competitions.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: ‘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.’

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris added: ‘First of all, it’s a massive statement about the attractiveness of the club. 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.