Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka is a left-footed defensive midfielder born in Basel, Switzerland, on 27 September 1992. He developed at FC Concordia Basel before joining FC Basel’s academy in 2003. Xhaka made his senior breakthrough at FC Basel, helping the club win two Swiss Super League titles and the domestic double in 2012. In 2012, he moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he became captain and helped the side secure consecutive Champions League qualifications. He joined Arsenal in 2016, spent seven seasons there, won two FA Cups, and later rebuilt his role as a more advanced left-sided midfielder under Mikel Arteta. At Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka operated from a deeper position and helped the club win the Bundesliga title in 2024. Now with Sunderland, Granit Xhaka brings extensive European experience and continues to represent Switzerland internationally.