Wenger hails signing of ‘exciting’ Xhaka

LONDON: Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Granit Xhaka for a reported £30million from Borussia Monchengladbach.

“I’m very proud to be joining Arsenal,” said Xhaka.

“I cannot wait to move to London, represent this special club and play in the Premier League.

“I will give everything to help Arsenal win trophies and make the fans happy.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: “Granit Xhaka is an exciting young player, already with good Champions League and Bundesliga experience. We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who will add quality to our squad. We wish Granit a good Euro 2016 with Switzerland and look forward to welcoming him to Arsenal ahead of next season.”

Arsenal were eager to agree the deal before Xhaka joined up with the Switzerland squad for Euro 2016, where he will be up against France, Albania and Romania in Group A.

The midfielder is known for his tackling, fitness and feisty character, and should add some much-needed steel to the Gunners’ line up next season.

He also has experience of winning trophies, having collected two Swiss league titles and the Swiss Cup in 2012 when Basle completed the double.

Xhaka was named the league’s Young Player of the Year that season and was rewarded with a move to Gladbach in 2012.

He played four seasons for the German club in the Bundesliga, making 108 appearances and scoring six goals.

The amount paid for Xhaka equals the club’s second-most expensive deal — Alexis Sanchez’s switch from Barcelona in 2014 — but is lower than the £42.5m fee for Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in 2013. - The Independent, Daily Mail