Nordi Mukiele hails Granit Xhaka after Sunderland captain wins player of the season | OneFootball

Nordi Mukiele hailed Granit Xhaka after the Sunderland captain was confirmed as the club’s men’s player of the season.

Sunderland Echo reports that the 2025-26 campaign was celebrated at the Beacon of Light on Wednesday evening, where players, staff, partners and supporters gathered for the annual End of Season Awards.

In his first year on Wearside, Xhaka has anchored Régis Le Bris’ side after Sunderland’s Premier League return, adding leadership and quality to a young squad. The Hummel-sponsored prize recognises a campaign that secured top-flight status in style.

Mukiele posted a photo of Xhaka with the trophy on Instagram, expressing respect and that the award was well deserved, tagging him with a red heart. Xhaka later shared images, saying success feels better when shared with the team, adding red and white hearts and his usual GX34 hashtag.

Brian Brobbey’s dramatic derby winner at Newcastle United was voted the LiveScore Moment That Mattered. Chris Rigg’s first Premier League goal against Aston Villa took Goal of the Season. Robin Roefs was Young Player of the Season after an excellent debut Premier League campaign, and Dan Ballard earned the Foundation of Light Community award.

Emily Scarr won Women’s Player of the Season, with Katy Watson named Women’s Young Player and Katie Kitching taking Women’s Goal of the Season. Finn Geragusian was Under-21 Player, Finlay Holcroft Under-18 Player, Charlie Scorer Junior Player, and historian Rob Mason received Lifetime Achievement for his work preserving and celebrating the club’s history.

Source: Sunderland Echo