Why Granit Xhaka Rejected Champions League Football to Join Sunderland

When Granit Xhaka swapped Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen for newly promoted Sunderland this summer, the move stunned many across Europe. A highly experienced midfielder, fresh from competing for silverware in Germany, turning down Champions League football for what many expect to be a relegation fight in England.

To understand the motivations behind one of the window’s most surprising transfers, Flashscore have spoken exclusively to Xhaka’s agent, Jose Noguera, who outlined the reasons behind his client’s bold decision.

Seeking a New Challenge

According to Noguera, the Swiss international felt it was simply the right moment to move on.

“After two years Xhaka needed a new challenge. That’s what his belief was,” he explained.

Xhaka had impressed at Leverkusen, helping the club to Bundesliga glory, but he was determined to take on a fresh project, even if it meant stepping away from Europe’s elite competitions.

Sunderland’s Unique Pitch

That fresh project came in the form of Sunderland. The first contact was personal, with Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus calling Xhaka directly by telephone.

“The first conversation was on the phone with the owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who is also from Switzerland and very young as well,” Noguera revealed. “Xhaka connected very well with Louis-Dreyfus and loved the vision that was presented.”

It was a direct appeal that caught the midfielder’s attention and laid the foundation for discussions that would eventually secure his signature.

Turning Down Europe’s Elite

The decision to move to the Stadium of Light was not born out of a lack of options. Noguera confirmed that Xhaka had significant offers from across Europe.

“Xhaka had a lot of interest from Premier League and Champions League clubs and declined three big offers to join Sunderland this summer.”

That rejection of Europe’s top stage highlights how convinced the former Arsenal man was by the Sunderland project.

Learning With the Future in Mind

For Xhaka, the choice was also about personal development and preparing for life after playing.

“Xhaka is usually at clubs where it’s about Champions League, league titles, cup finals, etc. However, he wanted to try something new because he wants to become a coach in future. So he sees this as a new experience to learn.”

In that sense, Sunderland represents an opportunity to understand football from a different angle: battling adversity, building with a developing squad, and gaining experience that may shape his future on the touchline.

Family First

Another decisive factor was Xhaka’s family, with the midfielder unwilling to make the move without their support.

“Xhaka’s family played a very big role in him joining Sunderland. Once his wife and three kids were willing to make the move with him, he agreed because his family is very important to him.”

The Premier League Challenge

Finally, there is the lure of English football itself. Xhaka knows the Premier League well from his time at Arsenal, and relishes the prospect of testing himself again in one of the toughest competitions in the world.

“Football in England is played at a very high level. It is more about the physicality and maybe less about the technical aspect. Many big players come to England and they realise they need to improve their level and often require time to adapt.”

A Bold Gamble

For Sunderland, landing a player of Xhaka’s pedigree is a statement of intent as they look to establish themselves in the Premier League this season.

For the player, it is a gamble that swaps Champions League nights for a suspected relegation fight, but also one that offers growth, leadership, and a new chapter in a career defined by bold choices.