Granit Xhaka: Arsenal Exit, Sunderland Move, Religion & Net Worth

Few football careers have as many twists as Granit Xhaka’s. He went from Arsenal captain to being stripped of the armband, then left the club for Germany before making an unexpected Premier League return as Sunderland’s leader, from the fan confrontation that changed everything to his move north and what it means for his legacy.

Current club: Sunderland (Premier League) ·
Position: Defensive midfielder ·
Date of birth: September27, 1992 ·
Height: 6 ft1 in (185 cm) ·
National team: Switzerland (captain) ·
Arsenal tenure: 2016–2023

Eight key facts about Granit Xhaka, one pattern: his career has always been defined by leadership and second chances.

The spec table below captures Xhaka’s personal profile — a mix of confirmed data and details that remain private.

The implication: Xhaka’s off-field identity as a married father of two with Kosovar Albanian roots sits alongside his on-field reputation as a combative midfielder.

Why did Granit Xhaka leave Arsenal?

Xhaka left Arsenal in July 2023 after seven years at the club, joining Bayer Leverkusen (BBC Sport). The move ended a tenure that included both highs — two FA Cup wins — and the lowest point of his career: losing the captaincy.

Arsenal exit reason

• Transferred to Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2023 (Reuters)
• Won the Bundesliga title in his first season at Leverkusen (Reuters)
• Had a five-year plan at Leverkusen that did not initially include a quick England return (BBC Sport)

Xhaka transfer to Sunderland

• Completed move from Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland on July 30, 2025 (Reuters)
• Sunderland paid an upfront fee of £13 million, with up to £4 million in add-ons (BBC Sport)
• Xhaka told Leverkusen on July 22, 2025, that he only wanted to join Sunderland (The Athletic)
• Signed a three-year deal (Reuters)

The paradox Xhaka left Arsenal seeking a fresh start, found success in Germany by winning the Bundesliga, then chose a riskier rebuild at Sunderland — turning down the security of his Leverkusen contract that ran until 2028 (The Athletic).

The pattern: Xhaka keeps betting on himself when the safer option is available, and so far it has paid off in silverware if not in stability.

Was Granit Xhaka good for Arsenal?

That question splits Arsenal fans. On one side are the numbers: 297 appearances, 17 goals, 32 assists, two FA Cups. On the other is the memory of a player whose temper and inconsistency frustrated supporters (BBC Sport).

Xhaka Arsenal stats

Xhaka performance analysis

• Known for inconsistent form and discipline issues
• Stripped of captaincy in October 2019 after confronting fans (BBC Sport)
• Rebuilt reputation under Mikel Arteta before departing
• Won Bundesliga at Leverkusen in first season after leaving (Reuters)

Why was Granit Xhaka stripped of captaincy?

The captaincy was taken from Xhaka in October 2019 after a public confrontation with Arsenal fans during a match against Crystal Palace (BBC Sport).

Captaincy stripping incident

• Stripped of captaincy in October 2019 (BBC Sport)
• Manager Unai Emery removed the armband
• Xhaka previously served as Arsenal captain from 2018

Xhaka fan confrontation

• After being substituted vs Crystal Palace, Xhaka reacted to fan jeers
• Cupped his ear to fans and shouted expletives
• The incident damaged his relationship with supporters for years

What this means The captaincy stripping was a turning point — it forced Xhaka to rebuild his reputation under a new manager and ultimately set the stage for his Arsenal exit.

When did Granit Xhaka leave Arsenal?

Xhaka left Arsenal in July 2023 after seven years at the club, joining Bayer Leverkusen (BBC Sport).

Arsenal departure date

• Left Arsenal in July 2023
• Signed with Bayer Leverkusen after 7 years at Arsenal (BBC Sport)
• Leverkusen contract ran until 2028 (The Athletic)

Xhaka Sunderland transfer timeline

• July 22, 2025: Told Leverkusen he wanted only Sunderland (The Athletic)
• July 28, 2025: Agreement reached worth up to €20 million (The Athletic)
• July 30, 2025: Signed three-year deal with Sunderland (Reuters)

The catch: Xhaka’s timeline shows a man who accelerated his own return to England, tearing up a five-year plan after only two years.

Granit Xhaka career timeline

The table below lays out the major inflection points in Xhaka’s career, from his Basel birth to his Sunderland captaincy.

Date/Period	Event
1992	Born in Basel, Switzerland
2012–2016	Plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach in Bundesliga
2016	Transfers to Arsenal for £35 million
2018	Appointed Arsenal captain
2019	Stripped of captaincy after fan confrontation (BBC Sport)
2020	Wins FA Cup with Arsenal
2023	Leaves Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen
2024	Wins Bundesliga with Leverkusen (Reuters)
2025	Appointed Sunderland captain (BBC Sport)

What is Granit Xhaka’s religion and ethnicity?

Xhaka is Muslim and of Albanian ethnicity. He was born in Basel, Switzerland to Kosovar Albanian parents (Wikipedia).

Xhaka religion

• Xhaka is Muslim (Albanian) (Wikipedia)
• His family background is Kosovar Albanian (Wikipedia)

Xhaka ethnicity

• Ethnicity is Albanian (Wikipedia)
• Born in Basel, Switzerland to Kosovar Albanian parents

Xhaka family background

• Speaks Albanian, German, French, and English (Wikipedia)
• Brother Taulant Xhaka also professional footballer
• Married to Leonita Xhaka
• Two daughters
The upshot

Xhaka’s identity as a Kosovar Albanian Muslim footballer has shaped his career. He represents Switzerland internationally despite his Albanian roots, a balancing act that mirrors the dual loyalties of many diaspora athletes.

What is Granit Xhaka’s net worth and salary?

Exact figures are not publicly confirmed, but estimates place Xhaka’s net worth between £20-30 million. His weekly wage at Arsenal was around £100,000.

Xhaka earnings

• Estimated net worth £20-30 million (not publicly confirmed)
• Weekly wage at Arsenal around £100,000
• Sunderland salary undisclosed
• Transfer value dropped after leaving Arsenal

Xhaka transfer fees

• Arsenal paid £35 million in 2016
• Sunderland paid £13 million upfront, with £4 million add-ons (BBC Sport)
• English media valued deal at about £17.3 million ($23.14 million) (Reuters)

What this means: Xhaka’s financial trajectory mirrors his playing one — a high peak at Arsenal, a dip, then a renewed bet on himself at Sunderland.

“I did not expect to be back in the Premier League after only two years to be honest.”

— Granit Xhaka, BBC Sport

“Even close associates questioned why he would return to the Premier League for Sunderland.”

— Close associates cited by BBC Sport

Xhaka’s career arc — from Arsenal captain to fan villain, from Bundesliga winner to Sunderland leader — is a story about second chances. For Sunderland fans, the question is whether they get the composed Xhaka who won the Bundesliga or the volatile one who lost the Arsenal armband. The club’s newly promoted Premier League status hinges on the answer. For Xhaka, the choice is clear: prove he belongs at the top level again, or see his legacy defined by what went wrong at Arsenal rather than what he built after.

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