Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has bid farewell to Arsenal as he officially joins Bayer Leverkusen in a transfer worth €25 million (£21.4 million).
The 30-year-old has committed to a five-year contract with the German Bundesliga club, bringing an end to his tenure at Arsenal that began in 2016. Xhaka, who briefly captained Arsenal in 2019, had one year remaining on his contract but had been widely expected to depart during the current summer transfer window.
During his time at Arsenal, Xhaka made 297 appearances, scoring 23 goals and contributing significantly to the team’s success. His accomplishments include winning the FA Cup on two occasions and helping Arsenal secure a runner-up position in the Premier League last season.
Xhaka’s final performance for Arsenal was marked by a notable display, scoring two goals in a resounding 5-0 victory over Wolves, which led to a standing ovation from the fans when he was substituted late in the game.
Xhaka’s Arsenal journey was not without its ups and downs. A highly publicized incident occurred in October 2019 when he clashed angrily with Arsenal supporters after being substituted during a match against Crystal Palace.
Xhaka later revealed his desire to leave the club, resulting in the loss of his captaincy, just weeks after being appointed by former manager Unai Emery. Despite interest from Roma, Arsenal rejected a €15 million (£12.9 million) bid for Xhaka in 2021. As a testament to his commitment, he subsequently signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at Arsenal until 2024.
