Bayer Leverkusen brings Swiss international Granit Xhaka back to the Bundesliga.
The 30-year-old completed his medical check-up in Leverkusen on Thursday and signed a contract until 2028, the club announced. According to media reports, the transfer fee should be between 15 and 25 million euros. Only on Wednesday did Leverkusen announce the signing of national player Jonas Hofmann from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Xhaka is considered the player of choice for Bayer coach Xabi Alonso. At Arsenal he was one of the top performers, played 37 of 38 games in the Premier League and was involved in 14 goals. His contract with the Gunners ran until 2024.
Rolfes: “Outstanding mentality and personality”
“With Granit we have been able to win over an absolute top professional”, said Sports-Managing Director Simon Rolfes: “His footballing quality is known everywhere. But above all, there are only a few players who, thanks to an outstanding mentality and personality, can lead a team as convincingly as he does.”
Xhaka played for the Rhenish neighbor from Gladbach from 2012 to 2016 in the Bundesliga. He then moved to Arsenal for 45 million euros, where he was almost always a regular player and also captain at times. For Switzerland, the aggressive leading player was used in central midfield at two World Cups and two European Championships.
