XHAKA SIGNS

Sunderland have made another statement signing this summer with the addition of decorated midfielder Granit Xhaka on a three-year contract.

The 32-year-old is a former Bundesliga champion with Bayer Leverkusen having previously played over 200 games for Arsenal. Xhaka has been a regular in the Swiss national team since 2011 and has captained his country on many ocassions.

He once had a reputation for being hot-headed and a liability in terms of yellow and red cards, but appears to have mellowed in recent years and is now a reliable player with great leadership qualities and experience.

In the 2024 Ballon D'or rankings, the midfielder was rated as the 16th-best player in the world. At Sunderland he will wear number 34, as he has worn at both Arsenal and Leverkusen.

Xhaka said: “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.”

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.”