Sunderland have today completed the signing of Switzerland international midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen. The former Arsenal star has cost the Black Cats a reported fee of $13 million with a further $4 million in add-ons. He has signed a three-year deal on Wearside. The transfer was confirmed by the official Sunderland website, safc.com
Title winner Xhaka is Sunderland’s seventh signing of the summer as they transform their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
Deal Complete: Star Midfielder Granit Xhaka Signs For Sunderland
Switzerland captain, FA Cup and Bundesliga winner Granit Xhaka, has completed his move from German giants Bayer Leverkusen to Premier League new boys Sunderland.
Xhaka, capped 137 times by his country, flew to England on Monday evening before undergoing his medical on Tuesday and being confirmed as a Sunderland player on Wednesday. The move sees the midfielder return to England. He played 297 for Arsenal before signing for Bayer, where he helped them win a historic Bundesliga title.
The deal takes Sunderland’s spending to over £110 million, and that the figure is likely to increase as the Black Cats look to build a squad not just capable of surviving but to compete with the best in the league.
Granit Xhaka on Move to Sunderland
Sunderland’s new signing spoke about his move to the club. He said: “I’m very proud to be here. 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.”
