Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka wants to make 'new history' after sealing Premier League return

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Evening Standard

·30 July 2025

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka wants to make 'new history' after sealing Premier League return

Xhaka is back in England after joining Sunderland for £17.3m

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Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka insists he still has the quality to perform in the Premier League at 32 - and has vowed to write a “new history” after joining Sunderland.

Xhaka has signed for Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £13million, with a further £4m in add-ons.

The Switzerland international has signed a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light and is back in England after leaving Arsenal in 2023.

Xhaka enjoyed two successful seasons in Germany, helping Bayer Leverkusen go unbeaten as they won the Bundesliga for the first time in their history.

He was ranked 16th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting and says he remains confident in his ability to deliver in the top-flight.

“I’m very proud to be here,” said Xhaka. “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.”

Sunderland view the signing of Xhaka as a major coup, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman praising his pedigree.

“We’re delighted to welcome Granit and his family to Sunderland,” said Speakman.

“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.”