Xhaka Joins Sunderland on Three-Year Deal After Leverkusen Stint

Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has officially signed for Sunderland on a three-year deal, marking his return to the Premier League two years after leaving Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen, the English club confirmed on Wednesday.

Xhaka, now 32, spent seven seasons with Arsenal before transferring to Leverkusen, where he helped them win the Bundesliga title and reach the Europa League final in his first campaign. The transfer fee wasn’t publicly disclosed, but British news sources reported Sunderland paid around £17.3 million ($23.14 million).

The switch to the newly-promoted Premier League side comes a week after Leverkusen head coach Erik ten Hag said Xhaka was too crucial to the team to be sold.

“I’m incredibly proud to join. When I spoke with the club, I felt the passion and the spirit, and I could see the ambition from the players and everyone involved,” Xhaka said in an announcement.

Xhaka, who featured in 225 Premier League matches for Arsenal, lifted the FA Cup on two occasions with the North London side.

Sunderland will kick off their league season with a home match against West Ham on August 16.