Granit Xhaka joins Sunderland in £13m move from Leverkusen

Sunderland have strengthened their midfield with the signing of Swiss international Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen, marking a major coup for the newly promoted Premier League side.

Xhaka, 31, has committed to a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland agreeing to pay an initial £13 million for his services, potentially rising by a further £4 million in performance-related add-ons.

The former Arsenal captain will wear the number 34 shirt as he returns to English football just one year after departing the Gunners for the Bundesliga.

“I’m really proud to be here,” Xhaka said. “From the first conversation, I felt the club’s ambition and the energy around the place. It’s exactly the kind of challenge I wanted. Sunderland belongs in the Premier League and now it’s time to help keep us here.”

Xhaka brings a wealth of experience to the Black Cats, having made 297 appearances for Arsenal across seven seasons, during which he won two FA Cups and captained the team. He played a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga-winning campaign last season but opted for a return to England following Xabi Alonso’s exit as manager.

The deal makes Xhaka Sunderland’s seventh signing of the summer, joining Enzo Le Fée, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra, taking the club’s total spending in this transfer window beyond £100 million.