Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney says Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is “probably the signing of the season”.
The Black Cats have made an impressive return to the Premier League and sit fourth after 11 games with 19 points, well placed to achieve their main goal of staying up this term.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Xhaka has been central to Sunderland’s bright start, offering experience and leadership. He has played every minute of their league fixtures, scoring once and supplying three assists.
This season he leads Sunderland in assists, chances created, touches, successful passes, duels won, possession won and distance covered.
The 33-year-old was among several summer additions after promotion from the Championship, joining from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £13m.
Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show: “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.”
Xhaka made 297 appearances for Arsenal, winning two FA Cups, but he was at times a polarising figure. He was sent off five times for the Gunners, spent six weeks as captain in 2019, clashed with supporters and was later stripped of the armband.
His situation improved under Mikel Arteta and he became an important player before leaving in 2023 for Leverkusen, where he played a part in their first Bundesliga title in over a decade.
Rooney added: “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. 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.
“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.”
