transfers
Leverkusen brings Xhaka back to the Bundesliga
Granit Xhaka returns to the Bundesliga. photo
© Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/dpa
Bayer Leverkusen brings Swiss international Granit Xhaka back to the Bundesliga. As the club announced, the 30-year-old midfielder will receive a long-term contract with the Europa League starter until June 30, 2028. The “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” and the “Bild” newspaper had previously reported that Xhaka had the medical check-up graduated from Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen brings the Swiss international Granit Xhaka back in the Bundesliga. As the club announced, the 30-year-old midfielder will receive a long-term contract with the Europa League starter until June 30, 2028. The “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” and the “Bild” newspaper had previously reported that Xhaka had the medical check-up graduated from Leverkusen.
“With Granit we have been able to win an absolute top professional for us,” sporting director Simon Rolfes was quoted as saying in a press release from the club. “His football 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 so convincingly.”
Transfer fee probably between 15 and 25 million euros
Bayer and Xhaka are said to have been in agreement for weeks, but his previous club FC Arsenal was still looking for a replacement before the release. According to media reports, the transfer fee is between 15 and 25 million euros. On Wednesday, Leverkusen announced the signing of national player Jonas Hofmann (30) from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Xhaka also played for the Rhenish neighbor from Gladbach from 2012 to 2016 in the Bundesliga. He then moved to Arsenal in the Premier League for 45 million euros, where he was almost always a regular player and also captain at times. “Forever part of the Arsenal family,” the Londoners tweeted, thanking Xhaka. For Switzerland, the aggressive leading player was used in central midfield at two World Cups and two European Championships.