Changes were expected within a few weeks. On Thursday, things went quickly: the signatures were made a few hours after the medical examination. “Thanks to Granit, we have been able to win the absolute best professional for us,” Simon Rolfes, managing director of Leverkusen, said in a communiqué. “His football qualities are known everywhere. But, above all, there are only a few players who, thanks to their outstanding mentality and personality, can lead the team as convincingly as he does.” For this reason, Leverkusen should have one The cost of the transfer is about 25 million euros to pay.

“I’m really looking forward to the years ahead,” Xhaka said. “I know the league inside and out and have always watched it from London. I see Leverkusen as a club with a great future.”

London ups and downs

Xhaka returns to the Bundesliga after seven years at Arsenal. Where he successfully played for Borussia Monchengladbach before moving to London and where he also captained in his final season. Arsenal brought the central midfielder to the Premier League in the summer of 2016 for €45m.

Xhaka has had his ups and downs in England but is now leaving the London club after his best season for the Gunners. Thanks in part to his strong performances, Arsenal have long dreamed of their first league title since 2004. As a result, this was enough for second place and the first participation in the Champions League in seven years.

Also as leader of Leverkusen

Xhaka is also expected to play a leading role at Leverkusen, but internationally he will have to settle for a third-rate conference league. Finishing sixth in the last season of the Bundesliga, the club will play in the play-offs for participation in the group stage at the end of August. But the prospects are good. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team, not unlike Xhaka as a player, is well-equipped. On the offensive, for example, with Florian Wirtz, Patrick Schick or Moussa Diaby.

Xhaka could play his first official match for Leverkusen on Saturday 12 August. The club will then open the new season with a cup match against Hamburg Regionalliga club Teutonia 05. Xhaka’s 109th Bundesliga match, the first since May 2016, is due to take place a week later at its new home stadium against RB Leipzig. (surrender/jaw)