(Credit: Manh Tung Breaking Media.

Aasif Rahman

Fri 15 August 2025 15:29, UK

Sunderland have made a major decision regarding new signing Granit Xhaka ahead of the new Premier League season.

Granit Xhaka reacts excitedly after Sunderland agree new signing	'No better choice' - Sunderland fans stunned by major Granit Xhaka decision	Sunderland may live to regret Granit Xhaka decision following hometown snub

The Black Cats are preparing for their Premier League return this weekend, their first top-flight campaign in nine years, as Sunderland host West Ham on 16 August.

It has been a busy summer transfer window for the club, , with Sunderland signing the likes of Xhaka, Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra joining the list of 11 new arrivals

However, they have also had to contend with the departure of Jobe Bellingham, who opted to join Borussia Dortmund rather than remain for the club’s return to the Premier League.

Now, with the new campaign about to get underway, the club have made a decision on Xhaka that has sparked reaction from across the division.

Xhaka joined Sunderland earlier this summer.

(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

The Black Cats confirmed on their official Instagram account that Xhaka has been named the Sunderland’s new captain for the upcoming Premier League season.

The announcement prompted plenty of reaction, with fellow Swiss international Manuel Akanji, Wilson Isidor and new signing Marc Guiu all liking the post.

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Xhaka joined Sunderland in a surprise move earlier this summer after a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he helped Xabi Alonso’s side to a historic unbeaten, title-winning campaign in 2023/24.

He previously captained Arsenal under Unai Emery but was stripped of the armband after a controversial incident with supporters.

However, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris appears to have put that episode behind him, handing the 32-year-old the captaincy.

Xhaka replaces Luke O’Nien and Dan Neil, who shared the armband last season, with both players linked with a potential exit from the club this summer.

Season statisticsGranit Xhaka at Bayer LeverkusenAppearances49Goals2Assists7Granit Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen in 2024/25.

Despite already making 11 signings this summer, Le Bris’ side remain active in the transfer market.

Former chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Sunderland are among the clubs showing interest in Matt O’Riley, who is “highly rated” by the hierarchy.

The midfielder has struggled to make an impact at the Amex Stadium since joining from Celtic last summer, and several clubs – including Juventus – are understood to be monitoring his situation.

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