Bundesliga
Xhaka leaves Leverkusen a legend
Former Bundesliga champion Granit Xhaka will return to the English Premier League with Sunderland after the 32-year-old midfielder brought an end to a hugely-successful two-season stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
An integral part of the Werkself's phenomenal Bundesliga and DFB Cup double-winning campaign of 2024/25, Xhaka departs the BayArena a hero having amassed 99 games in all competitions under former coach Xabi Alonso.
"After his signing two years ago, Granit Xhaka was a key player in the Leverkusen team that won the German championship and DFB Cup double in 2024," Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes said.
Watch: the very best of Xhaka in the Bundesliga
"Accepting his urgent request to transfer is expedient for Bayer 04 under the negotiated terms and circumstances and is the best solution for everyone involved. We wish Granit all the best for the rest of his career," Rolfes added.
The ex-Borussia Mönchengladbach regular and Switzerland captain arrived in Leverkusen in July 2023 after amassing almost 300 games for former side Arsenal.
He rapidly filled coach Alonso's brief as midfield general and was Bayer 04's beating heart as they won the Bundesliga for the first time in a season when the team fell just short of completing an incredible domestic and European treble.
Xhaka's departure is the latest move in what has been a busy rebuild for Bayer 04 ahead of the 2025/26 season, which will be overseen by new coach Erik Ten Hag.
With Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong also making way, Leverkusen have added Jarrell Quansah, Axel Tape, Malik Tillman, Abdoulaye Faye, Ibrahima Maza, Christian Kofane, Tim Oermann and Mark Flekken in the close season.
The 2024 champions will begin a fresh tilt at the top-flight title with an opening game at home to Hoffenheim on 23 August.