XHAKA'S FIRST INTERVIEW

Granit Xhaka has completed his first interview as a Sunderland player and is ready for the challenge as he returns to the Premier League.

PROUD TO SIGN

“I’m very proud to be here. It was a long time waiting but I am here now and I am looking forward to that.”

PROJECT/AMBITION

“I had a feeling that I needed a new challenge, a big challenge and a project. When I spoke with the club I was very excited to come here, to feel the energy and mentality of the people and the players at the club. It is exactly what I wanted and that is why I decided to come here.”

WRITE OUR OWN HISTORY

“It is a different type of pressure for sure. That’s why I said before that it is a big, big challenge for myself, for the club but also for my teammates. I have a good feeling. I am seeing something that could create big change and I want to be part of that change. I want to be part of this football club and to write our own history. Obviously I am looking forward to that.”

EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP

“I lived in the UK already for seven years, so I know the mentality here and I know the league. What you can expect from me is that I will bring a lot of experience from the different European football I played as well, but also a big mentality. How to work day-by-day to achieve the goals we have as a team and a club, and to help each other and give them a good feeling, give them belief that we can do it. That is me.”

CLUB HISTORY

“Of course, when you start to speak to the club you begin to follow a little bit of their history and their background. I know where they’ve been, I know where they were, and that’s why this challenge is bigger than ever. It is nice to have this background but we are back where this club needs to be. We want to stay here and write our own history. I have a very good feeling and that’s why I took the step here.”

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT

“I will give them a lot of energy, mentality, passion. Fighting for each ball, fighting for my teammates, fighting for the badge and for the club. This is what I want to give the fans but also my teammates.”

YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE

“I think in a team you need a good balance, a good mix of young players and experienced players. I am still not finished and the hunger is still here to achieve many good things. I feel that I am ready to help the team with my experience and also with my quality. I have a good feeling that we now have a mix of experience with the young players. We need to find ourselves now on the pitch, for sure, but I don’t think this will be a big problem.”

PERFECT FIT

“That is exactly my feeling. I love a challenge and this one is a big challenge, maybe the biggest of my career so far. I took it, I am here and I want to show that day-by-day and weekend-by-weekend on the pitch.”

MESSAGE TO FANS

“I am sure this team will give everything on the pitch from the first whistle til the end. We need support from the fans and that will happen. We will give everything and hopefully we can achieve the goals we have.”