According to a BBC report, Bayer Leverkusen’s midfield general Granit Xhaka has stunned the footballing world by rejecting a mega-money three-year deal from Aston Villa, instead choosing to sign a four-year contract with EFL Championship side Sunderland AFC. The move is being hailed as one of the most surprising and talked-about transfers of the summer window.
The Swiss international, who enjoyed a stellar season with Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso — including a Bundesliga title win — was widely expected to return to the Premier League, with Aston Villa leading the race for his signature. Villa had reportedly offered a highly lucrative deal, aiming to bring in Xhaka’s leadership and experience ahead of their European campaign. But despite the financial appeal and top-tier football, Xhaka made the unexpected decision to join Sunderland, who are currently battling for promotion from the Championship.
The news, first broken by the BBC on Friday afternoon, has sent shockwaves across English football. Xhaka, known for his intense passion, tactical discipline, and fierce loyalty, is believed to have been convinced by Sunderland’s long-term vision and footballing project under their ambitious leadership.
> “This isn’t just a transfer — it’s a statement,” a source close to the player told the BBC. “Granit had bigger financial offers on the table, but what he wanted was belief, a sense of purpose, and the chance to help a club rise to where it belongs. Sunderland offered him that.”
Sunderland AFC, one of England’s most historic clubs, has been steadily rebuilding since dropping to League One in 2018. Under chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, the club has stabilized financially and has been attracting young talents and experienced names alike. The appointment of French manager Régis Le Bris has brought a new sense of tactical identity, and Xhaka’s arrival is seen as a crucial step toward mounting a serious promotion challenge in the 2025–26 season.
> “Granit is a world-class midfielder with incredible leadership,” said Louis-Dreyfus in a club statement. “To have a player of his pedigree choose Sunderland shows how far we’ve come — and where we are headed.”
Xhaka’s move is also being viewed as a symbolic rejection of modern football’s often money-driven culture. His decision to leave Champions League football and a title-winning team in Germany, as well as turn down one of the Premier League’s richest clubs, in favor of a second-tier English side, has drawn admiration from fans across the football spectrum.
On social media, Sunderland fans erupted with joy, with hashtags like #XhakaInSunderland and #LoyaltyOverMoney trending within hours. Even rival fans applauded the move, calling it a “refreshing change” in today’s football climate.
Xhaka is expected to be unveiled at the Stadium of Light over the weekend, with his debut likely to come in Sunderland’s opening fixture of the Championship season next month.
For now, Sunderland supporters can dream — and dream big. With Granit Xhaka in midfield, the Premier League might just be within reach again.
