Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen sign Xhaka from Arsenal for £21.4m

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Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has parted ways with Arsenal to join German side Bayer Leverkusen in a £21.4million deal.

The 30-years-old signed with Arsenal in 2016 and had a year left on his contract, however, the Gunners were expected to let him go because they were trying to sign England international Declan Rice.

“In Granit we have been able to bring in an absolute top player,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes in a club statement.

After seven years at Arsenal, where he won the FA Cup twice but was also kicked off the team’s captaincy, Xhaka is said to be going back to the Bundesliga in a deal worth 25 million euros ($27.2 million).

In 297 games for the Gunners, he scored 23 goals. Two of those goals came on the last day of the season, when Arsenal beat Wolves 5-0 at home to finish second in the Premier League.

After he famously cursed at the crowd during a 2019 match with Crystal Palace, Xhaka has made a big change. This was shown by the way Arsenal fans said goodbye to him.

“We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and person loved by all of us,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

“It has been an incredible journey together for him and he has given absolutely everything for this club.”

Xhaka, who began his career with hometown club Basel, played for Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga from 2012 to 2016.

“I know the league inside out and I watched it when I was in London,” said Xhaka.

“Bayer 04 is a club with an impressive history and ambitious targets.”