Bayer 04 sign Granit Xhaka from Arsenal

Xhaka has signed a contract with the Europe League participants from Leverkusen to 30 June 2028. "In Granit we have been able to bring in an absolute top player," said Simon Rolfes about the transfer coup. "His ability on the pitch is well known. But, above all, there are few players who are able to so convincingly lead a team like he does thanks to his outstanding mentality and personality," said the Bayer 04 sporting managing director in praise of the 30-year-old midfielder.

For Xhaka, the move to Leverkusen represents a return to the Bundesliga where he pulled the strings in midfield for Borussia Mönchengladbach from 2012 to 2016. "I know the league inside out and I watched it when I was in London. Bayer 04 is a club with an impressive history and ambitious targets," declared the 6' 1" left-footer. "Above all, I see it as a club with a great future. Discussions with the management have been incredibly motivating. Everybody here is ambitious and wants to achieve something – I'm very much looking forward to the next few years."