Granit Xhaka’s shock move to newly promoted Sunderland was followed by an incredibly awkward introductory video.
The former Arsenal captain, who spent the last two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, completed a surprise return to English football with Sunderland, who last season sealed promotion back to the Premier League after eight years away.
Xhaka, 32, was unveiled this week in a short Q&A segment posted by the club on social media, but his answers quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Asked a series of introductory questions, the Swiss international responded with generic answers, prompting fans to question how much the midfielder really knows about his new club.
When asked why he chose Sunderland, Xhaka responded simply: ‘A big challenge.’ On what the club is well-known for, he replied: ‘Great club.’ Pressed on who he was most excited to play alongside, he answered: ‘Everyone.’
His short responses did not stop there. When asked who he could not wait to face, Xhaka again replied with ‘Everyone,’ followed by one-word answers to further questions.
Granit Xhaka’s answers in his introductory Q&A video with Sunderland stunned fans online
The ex-Arsenal captain joined the Tyneside club for £17m from Bayer Leverkusen this summer
But supporters were left questioning whether Xhaka knows much about the club he has joined
Supporters wasted no time in taking to X to poke fun at Xhaka’s answers.
‘This man has no idea who he’s joining,’ wrote one fan.
Another added: ‘He also doesn’t know the name of one player there.’
A third joked: ‘The only thing he knows is they are in the Premier League.’
Xhaka, who made almost 300 appearances for Arsenal and has been capped 137 times for Switzerland, is expected to bring leadership and top-flight experience to a Sunderland squad preparing for their first Premier League campaign since 2017.
He was part of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side that secured the club’s first ever Bundesliga title while embarking on an unprecedented 51-game unbeaten run in the 2023-24 season.
Sunderland’s £17million signing of Xhaka is the latest example of the club’s ambition having already splashed out on the likes of Simon Adingra (£21m), Habib Diarra (£30m) and Enzo Le Fee (£20m).
The Black Cats have spent over £100m this summer and kick off their Premier League season at home to West Ham on August 16.