Xhaka ‘probably signing of the season’ – Rooney.

Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United and England striker, believes Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is “probably the signing of the season”.

The Black Cats have performed admirably in their return to the Premier League, now sitting fourth after 11 games with 19 points, well on their approach to achieving their primary goal of staying up this season.

Xhaka, a former Arsenal midfielder, has played an important role in Sunderland’s early success due to his experience and leadership abilities.

He has played every minute of their league games, scoring once and assisting three times.

This season, he leads the Sunderland team in assists, chances created, touches, successful passes, duels won, possession earned, and distance covered. The 33-year-old was one of numerous summer acquisitions following promotion from the Championship, coming from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £13 million.

Rooney stated on The Wayne Rooney Show: “Coming back to the Premier League, you wonder if he can do it; obviously, with a promoted team coming up, what impact could he have? “But he’s definitely been the season’s best signing. He’s been fantastic. Xhaka made 297 matches for Arsenal and won two FA Cups.

However, at the Gunners, he was something of a pantomime villain, and he was occasionally heavily criticised. He was sent off five times for Arsenal during his six-week captaincy in 2019, battled with his own fans, and was stripped of the armband.

But things improved under Mikel Arteta, and he became an important player until departing in 2023 for Leverkusen, where he helped them win their first Bundesliga title in his debut season.

“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,” Rooney told ESPN.

“To get through that and then go on to perform for Arsenal, and then at Leverkusen, to be part of a team that defeated Bayern Munich for the title for the first time in over ten years, demonstrates what a good player he is.” “Sunderland has a relatively youthful group as well.

He’d almost be a father figure, and his role as captain would be extremely beneficial to the coach.” 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.”

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