Swiss · Basel, Switzerland · Born 27 September 1992Arsenal's divisive warrior — the captain who was stripped of the armband and then redeemed as a Bundesliga champion.
Granit Xhaka was born on 27 September 1992 in Basel, Switzerland, to Albanian parents from Kosovo who had fled political unrest, arriving in Switzerland in 1990. His father, Ragip, spent three and a half years imprisoned as a political prisoner under the former Yugoslav government, an experience that shaped Granit's sense of identity and resilience. He joined Concordia Basel at five before progressing to FC Basel's academy alongside his older brother, Taulant, who also became a professional footballer. Xhaka made his senior debut for Basel in 2010, winning two Swiss Super League titles before Borussia Mönchengladbach signed him in 2012. He spent four seasons establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga's most combative and technically gifted defensive midfielders, known for his powerful long-range passing and shooting. Arsenal signed Xhaka in 2016, and despite a difficult period that included losing the club captaincy in 2019 following a confrontation with frustrated supporters, he rebuilt his reputation to become one of the team's most influential and popular players under manager Mikel Arteta. He moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, helping the club win a historic unbeaten Bundesliga title, before joining Sunderland in 2025. Xhaka captains Switzerland and has represented his country at three World Cups and three European Championships. His brother Taulant chose to represent Albania, and the two memorably faced each other at Euro 2016 — the first brothers to oppose one another at a major tournament. Xhaka has drawn attention for making the Albanian double-headed eagle gesture during matches, an expression of pride in his family's Kosovo-Albanian heritage.
Captaining Switzerland and his long-range passing ability
How They Played
Deep-lying playmaker with excellent passing range and strong defensive work rate
Lasting Impact
Key midfielder for club and country with exceptional leadership qualities
Career Honours
- Bundesliga (2024 unbeaten)
- DFB-Pokal (2024)
- FA Cup (2020)
- Swiss Cup
- Bundesliga 2024
- DFB-Pokal 2024
- FA Cup 2020
- Swiss Cup 2013
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basel | 2010–2012 | — | 42 | 1 |
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | 2012–2016 | — | 108 | 6 |
| Arsenal | 2016–2023 | £35m | 225 | 17 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2023–2025 | — | 66 | 5 |
| Sunderland | 2025–Present | — | 34 | 1 |
 Switzerland | — | — | 130 | 13 |
Swiss Athletes