Granit Xhaka explains Sunderland transfer as ex-Arsenal star makes EPL return

Granit Xhaka is back in the Premier League two years after leaving Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen after accepting an offer to join Sunderland following their promotion

Granit Xhaka felt the opportunity to establish Sunderland in the Premier League made returning to England too good an opportunity to turn down following his move from Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Arsenal star, 32, left the English top-flight two years ago for the Bundesliga, which he won with Leverkusen in his maiden campaign. However, rumblings of another transfer have persisted in recent months and Sunderland have now brought the midfielder back to the Premier League.

Sunderland won promotion to the top-flight via the play-offs last year and their capture of Xhaka - a key figure previously at Arsenal - is a major coup.

The Switzerland international says he was 'excited' following discussions over a switch to the Stadium of Light and hopes his experience can help the Black Cats avoid an instant return to the Championship.

“I’m very proud to be here,” Xhaka told the club's official website after completing his move.

“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.”

Xhaka made 297 appearances during his time at Arsenal, where he also captained the side on occasions. He won two FA Cups and was part of the side that came close to winning the title before moving on.

Kristjaan Speakman, Sunderland's sporting director, feels that landing Xhaka is a sign of the club's ambition upon their return to the top-flight after an eight-year absence.

He added: “We’re delighted to welcome Granit and his family to Sunderland. His arrival is a significant endorsement of our ambition and our desire to build a team our supporters can be proud of in the Premier League. His accomplishments and quality need little introduction – he’s a player of the highest calibre on and off the field, who we feel is the perfect match to the profile required in our team.

“We look forward to helping him settle on Wearside and are excited to see the impact he can make on the field and within our dressing room.”