Sunderland have just pulled off one of the most surprising moves of the summer — snapping up Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for £17 million on a three-year deal.

Yes, you read that right. The former Arsenal captain and Bundesliga title winner is back in the Premier League, and this time he’s trading the Emirates for the Stadium of Light.

“I’m very proud to be here,” said Xhaka. “I felt the energy from the club immediately. It’s exactly what I wanted — and I’ve got a very good feeling about what we can build here.”

From Bundesliga Glory to Black Cats Ambition

Xhaka, 32, arrives fresh off a trophy-laden season with Leverkusen, where he played a key role in helping them win both the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal in a record-breaking campaign.

Now, the Swiss international is ready to bring his elite-level experience, leadership, and bite to a newly promoted Sunderland side eager to make a splash in the 2025/26 Premier League season.

“We’re back to where this club needs to be,” Xhaka said. “And we want to stay here to write our own history.”

Sunderland’s Summer Transfer Window Just Hit Another Gear

Xhaka becomes the eighth addition to a squad that’s being seriously reinforced following promotion. He joins a summer cast that already includes:

• Robin Roefs (Pending completion)
• Reinildo Mandava
• Chemsdine Talbi
• Noah Sadiki
• Enzo Le Fée
• Habib Diarra
• Simon Adingra

With Champions League experience, Premier League grit, and plenty of fire in the tank, Xhaka adds a whole new dimension to the midfield.

Granit Xhaka’s back — not in red, but in red and white stripes — and he’s got unfinished business in the Premier League. Sunderland just got serious.