Granit Xhaka Embraces New Chapter at Sunderland, Eager to Make a Lasting Impact

Add as a preferred source on Google

Granit Xhaka has opened up about his move to Sunderland ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season, calling it a bold step and one of the most exciting challenges of his career. The experienced Swiss midfielder, who previously spent seven years in England, shared his thoughts on his new journey during an appearance on JioHotstar.

Xhaka emphasized that the decision to join Sunderland wasn't just professional-it was deeply personal. "I felt I needed a new and big challenge. When I spoke with the club, I was very excited to come here-to feel the energy, the mentality, the people, the players, and overall atmosphere around the club. It was exactly what I wanted, and that's why I decided to join," he said.

The former Arsenal man acknowledged the pressure of joining a club eager to make its mark. "It's definitely a different kind of pressure, and that's why I said before-it's a big challenge for me, the club, and my teammates. But I have a good feeling. I see the potential for a big change, and I want to be part of it," he noted.

Xhaka brings a wealth of experience and a strong mentality to the squad. "I've been in the UK for seven years, so I understand the mentality here and the league well. What you can expect from me is a wealth of experience from different types of European football I've played, along with a strong mentality. I believe in working hard every day to achieve the team's goals," he added.

He also spoke about Sunderland's resurgence. "When you start talking with the club, you begin to understand its history. I know where they've been and where they were, which makes the challenge bigger than ever."

His message to the fans was full of passion. "I will give the fans a lot of energy, mentality, and passion-fighting for every ball, for my teammates, for the badge, and for the club."

On the team's outlook, he added, "I love challenges, and this is a big one-perhaps the biggest of my career so far. I'm sure this team will give everything on the pitch from the first whistle to the last."