admin‘Have to do this’ – The Granit Xhaka verdict on Sunderland transfer that fans will love
Granit Xhaka Reflects on Sunderland Move and Instant Connection with Club and Fans
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has opened up about his summer switch to the Black Cats, sharing how quickly he felt a strong bond with the club, the local community, and its passionate supporters.
The Swiss midfielder surprised many in the football world when he opted to leave Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and sign for newly promoted Sunderland in a deal reported to be worth £17.3 million.
Despite the raised eyebrows, Xhaka has already impressed with standout performances during pre-season and in Sunderland’s Premier League opener against West Ham.
While some questioned why a player of Xhaka’s experience and stature would join a club just returning to the top flight, the 32-year-old insists he has no doubts about his decision.
In a recent interview with Swiss outlet Blick, Xhaka explained that the passionate support of Sunderland’s fans played a huge role in convincing him to make the move.
“Here, people live, breathe, and suffer for football. The passion is real,” he said. “I’ll never regret this decision—no matter what happens.” He added that the move is already proving to be a life-enriching experience.
Xhaka also detailed how the transfer came about, revealing an unexpected late-night call from club owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus that set everything in motion.
“It was 11pm and I was about to go to bed; my kids were already asleep. A Swiss number came up on my phone. ‘Hello, this is Kyril. I’m the owner of Sunderland,’ he said. At first, I thought it was a prank.
My agent José Noguera was in the U.S., so I passed on his number. Ten minutes later, José FaceTimed me with Kyril and the sporting director. That’s when I knew it was serious.”
Reflecting on the conversation and what followed, Xhaka said, “It felt like a calling. The club’s journey reminded me of my own family’s beginnings—from nothing. I know this experience will shape my future in ways I can’t yet imagine.”
He continued, “Sunderland did absolutely everything to bring me back to England. When a club shows that level of commitment, it’s almost disrespectful not to consider it. I was genuinely moved by the people in charge—I couldn’t say no.”
Turning his attention to head coach Regis Le Bris, Xhaka offered high praise: “To me, he’s like a modern Arsène Wenger. Calm, composed, clear in his thinking. What he says makes sense. The way he’s handled all the squad changes in such a short time is incredible—he deserves a lot of credit.”
Xhaka also spoke about the electric atmosphere at the Stadium of Light during Sunderland’s emphatic 3-0 win over West Ham. “I’ve played in a lot of stadiums, but honestly, the feeling during my first home match with Sunderland was one of the best of my career.
The energy, the excitement—it gave me goosebumps. Everything was just buzzing. It’s definitely a top-three moment in my career.”
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