Sunderland star Xhaka hailed as ‘signing of the season’

Wayne Rooney has hailed Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka as the Premier League’s ‘signing of the season’.

Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a £17m deal in the summer window, returning to the Premier League after a previous spell at Arsenal.

The Switzerland international was installed as captain for the newly-promoted side and has been a major part of their impressive return to the Premier League.

Xhaka led Sunderland to a 2-2 draw with league leaders Arsenal on Saturday evening, a result that leaves the Black Cats fourth in the Premier League table. Despite turning 33 last month, Xhaka is also among the Premier League leaders for distance covered in 2025/26.

Rooney has been hugely impressed, with the ex-England captain hailing Xhaka’s impact. Speaking to The Wayne Rooney show on the BBC, he called the midfielder the best signing of the summer window.

WE’VE GOT, GRANIT XHAKA. pic.twitter.com/sIBqBSkvHg

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 8, 2025

“Coming back to the Premier League you wonder if he can do it. Obviously with a promoted team as well coming up, what impact could he have?

“But he’s probably been the signing of the season. He has been brilliant.

“When he had the situation with Arsenal, when he fell out with the fans it showed his character to go and play for Arsenal again,” Rooney continued.

“To get through that and then go and perform for Arsenal, and then at Leverkusen to be part of a team to beat Bayern Munich to the title for the first time in over 10 years has shown what a good player he is.

Xhaka called ‘father figure’ for Sunderland

“Sunderland have got a very young squad as well. He’d almost be like a father figure and he’ll be a big help for the coach as well to be the in-between man as captain.

“And they made a lot of signings in the summer, he’ll be a massive help for the manager and with them players, for sure, using his experience.”

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