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<ul><li>Xhaka joins Sunderland on three-year deal</li><li>Ten Hag tried to block midfielder's exit</li><li>Black Cats back in the Premier League for 2025-26</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka seals shock £17m transfer to Sunderland as Bayer Leverkusen ignore Erik ten Hag plea

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<p>Sunderland have announced the arrival of former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka in a transfer worth £17 million. Xhaka has signed a three-year contract with the Black Cats after two years with Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal. The midfielder boasts extensive Premier League experience already, having made 225 appearances for Arsenal.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/furious-erik-ten-hag-blocks-granit-xhaka-bayer-leverkusen-exit-sunderland-transfer-agreement-ex-man-utd-boss-insists-not-letting-anyone-else-go/blt6d0b7907125a6fe5#csd585979294cc82ac" target="_blank"></a></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the signing of Granit Xhaka, who joins on a three-year deal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen! ❤️✍️</p>— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/1950490336196784332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The Swiss star returns to the Premier League from Leverkusen in a move that will disappoint Ten Hag. The Leverkusen coach had made it clear he did not want <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/furious-erik-ten-hag-blocks-granit-xhaka-bayer-leverkusen-exit-sunderland-transfer-agreement-ex-man-utd-boss-insists-not-letting-anyone-else-go/blt6d0b7907125a6fe5#csd585979294cc82ac" target="_blank">Xhaka to leave as any departure would "undermine the structure and culture of the squad".</a> Xhaka joins <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-jeremie-frimpong-bayer-leverkusen-england-liverpool-transfer/bltc8aad9335efa0bc1">Jeremie Frimpong</a>, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/liverpool-get-their-man-reds-complete-gbp116m-deal-to-sign-florian-wirtz-from-bayer-leverkusen-as-germany-international-signs-long-term-deal-at-anfield/blt0d435719e6a90e7e">Florian Wirtz</a>&nbsp;and Jonathan Tah in leaving the Bundesliga side this summer.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Xhaka told Sunderland's official website: “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.”</p>

WHAT XHAKA SAID

<p>Xhaka will wear the No. 34 shirt at Sunderland following his move from Leverkusen.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The new signing will now join his team-mates for pre-season ahead of an opening Premier League game of the new campaign against West Ham on August 16.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR XHAKA?

Ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka seals shock £17m transfer to Sunderland as Bayer Leverkusen ignore Erik ten Hag plea | Goal.com

Granit Xhaka has sealed a shock return to the Premier League with Sunderland despite Erik ten Hag&apos;s plea for him to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

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