Bayer Leverkusen Secures Granit Xhaka from Arsenal for £21.4m
During Arsenal’s final home game against Wolves last season, Granit Xhaka received a standing ovation from the fans as he was substituted.
In a deal worth €25m (£21.4m), Granit Xhaka has completed his move from Arsenal to German club Bayer Leverkusen.
The 30-year-old Swiss midfielder has signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga team.
Xhaka, who joined Arsenal in 2016 and briefly served as captain in 2019, had one year remaining on his contract but was expected to depart the club this summer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is closing in on the signing of England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham in a record-breaking deal for a British player.
During his time at Arsenal, Xhaka made 297 appearances and scored 23 goals, contributing to their two FA Cup victories and their second-place finish in the Premier League last season.
In Arsenal’s final match of the season, a 5-0 home triumph over Wolves, Xhaka netted twice before receiving a standing ovation when he was substituted in the late stages.
This was a significant contrast to an earlier incident in October 2019 when Xhaka had a heated exchange with Arsenal fans after being substituted, admitting that he was on the brink of leaving the club.
As a result, he was stripped of the captaincy, just a month after being given the armband by then-manager Unai Emery.
In 2021, Arsenal turned down a €15m (£12.9m) bid from Roma for Xhaka, and later that summer, he signed a one-year contract extension until 2024.
Before joining Arsenal for a reported fee of £35m in 2016, Xhaka spent four years playing in the Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, transfer
Who has signed Granit Xhaka from Arsenal?
Granit Xhaka has been signed by Bayer Leverkusen from Arsenal.
What is the transfer fee for Granit Xhaka’s move?
The transfer fee for Granit Xhaka’s move from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen is £21.4m (€25m).
How long is the contract signed by Granit Xhaka with Bayer Leverkusen?
Granit Xhaka has signed a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen.
How long did Granit Xhaka play for Arsenal?
Granit Xhaka played for Arsenal from 2016 until his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
How many goals did Granit Xhaka score for Arsenal?
During his time at Arsenal, Granit Xhaka scored 23 goals in 297 appearances.
What honors did Granit Xhaka achieve with Arsenal?
Granit Xhaka helped Arsenal win the FA Cup twice and finish as runners-up in the Premier League last season.
Why was Granit Xhaka stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal?
Granit Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal following an angry confrontation with fans after being substituted against Crystal Palace in October 2019.
Was Granit Xhaka close to leaving Arsenal before this transfer?
Yes, after the incident with the fans in 2019, Granit Xhaka admitted that he was close to leaving Arsenal.
Which clubs did Granit Xhaka play for before joining Arsenal?
Before joining Arsenal, Granit Xhaka played for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
More about Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, transfer
- Granit Xhaka completes move to Bayer Leverkusen – BBC Sport
- Bayer Leverkusen’s official announcement of Granit Xhaka signing – Bayer Leverkusen’s official website
- Granit Xhaka’s profile on Transfermarkt – Transfermarkt
- Arsenal’s official statement on Granit Xhaka’s departure – Arsenal’s official website
- Granit Xhaka’s career statistics at Arsenal – Soccerbase
5 comments
granit xhaka going to bayer leverkusen is a big move. i hope he does well there! he was captain for a bit but then lost it. good luck to him in the bundesliga!
sad to see xhaka go, he had his ups and downs but he gave his all for the club. wish him the best at leverkusen. hoping we make some good signings to strengthen our squad!
yesss! finally we gettin’ rid of xhaka! he was so bad with us! i’m happy we sold him for £21m! hope we sign declan rice soon!
great signing by bayer leverkusen! xhaka will add some experience and quality to our midfield. can’t wait to see him play in the bundesliga!
xhaka’s transfer fee seems low, only £21.4m? i thought he was worth more. but hey, at least we can move on now. let’s see who arsenal signs to replace him!