New Sunderland signing Granit Xhaka says he "felt the energy and mentality" of the club and fans upon choosing to make the move back to the Premier League from Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka left Arsenal after seven years in 2023 and won the league and cup double in his first season in Germany.

Granit Xhaka has returned to the Premier League with a move to newly-promoted Sunderland. The former Arsenal captain joined from Bayer Leverkusen and signed a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has joined promoted Premier League side Sunderland from Germany's Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract, both clubs said on Wednesday. No details were given, but Leverkusen said that Sunderland had "accepted the transfer conditions" set by them for the 32-year-old to move on despite a contract until 2028.