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

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.

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 Xhaka to leave as any departure would "undermine the structure and culture of the squad". Xhaka joins Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah in leaving the Bundesliga side this summer.

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.”

Xhaka will wear the No. 34 shirt at Sunderland following his move from Leverkusen.

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.