Granit Xhaka explains Premier League return with Sunderland | OneFootball

Former Gunner Granit Xhaka has explained why he decided to leave Bayer Leverkusen to return to the Premier League with Sunderland this summer.

Photo via SAFC.com

When Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka earlier this summer, it wasn’t hard to understand the appeal for them. The promoted club were adding much-needed Premier League experience with a player who has played on the very biggest stages for club and country in the last decade or so.

Instead, the question was why Xhaka would agree to leave Bayer Leverkusen so soon, and why he’d join a club likely to be battling for survival this season.

Leverkusen finished 2nd in the Bundesliga last season, having won it the previous year. It’s almost certainly going to be a completely different situation for Xhaka back in England.

Photo via SAFC.com

Reflecting on the decision, Xhaka suggested the chance to play for a club that might suffer a bit more was actually one of the reasons why he chose this move.

“The club is coming from a situation that reminded me of my parents’ beginnings – from scratch,” Xhaka said. “And I feel that this experience here will give me the most for my future.

“I want to pursue a career as a coach at some point. That’s why it’s important to experience moments of suffering and solidarity. We’re going to have to suffer a lot in the coming months. That’s another side of football, but it’s also part of it, and it will shape me.

“[Sunderland] did everything, absolutely everything, to bring me back to England. When a club makes you feel that way, it would be almost rude not to consider it. I was so touched by the people in charge. I couldn’t say no.”

Photo via SAFC.com

Sunderland had a dream start to the 2025/26 campaign with a 3-0 win over West Ham United last Saturday, but they were brought back to reality with a 2-0 defeat to Burnley this weekend.

Even so, they remain in the top half of the division with two games played, so things could definitely be worse.

Former Gunner Dan Ballard is also currently playing for Sunderland, and his personal fortunes have very much reflected his team’s so far. The centre-back was his team’s best player in the 3-0 win over West Ham, even scoring a goal, but he went off injured early in the Burnley game.

From an Arsenal perspective, the hope is that both players have a positive season with the exception of the weekends of November 8th and February 7th.