adminSunderland captain Granit Xhaka has shared a heartfelt message with supporters as he prepares to return to the Academy of Light this week ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The experienced midfielder has been enjoying a well-earned three-week break after helping Switzerland achieve a memorable World Cup campaign. Xhaka is now set to rejoin pre-season training alongside Thomas Meunier, Omar Alderete and Chemsdine Talbi as Régis Le Bris continues preparations for the new campaign.
Earlier in the summer, Xhaka’s future at Sunderland was thrown into doubt when Chelsea launched a strong attempt to sign him. Although the midfielder seriously considered the move, he ultimately decided to remain with the Black Cats, ending speculation over his future and reaffirming his commitment to the club.
With Sunderland preparing for their first European adventure in more than five decades, Xhaka called on everyone connected with the club to remain united as they chase even greater success this season.
In an emotional Instagram post, the Sunderland skipper reflected on last season’s unforgettable achievements and thanked supporters for their unwavering backing.
“We created memories that will stay with us forever,” Xhaka wrote.
“The noise, the passion, the nights under the lights, hearing you sing with one voice… those are the moments that remind you why you love this game. Thank you for believing. Thank you for standing with us every single step of the way. Now a new season begins. New dreams. New challenges. The same badge. The same passion. Let’s cherish every moment, fight for each other, and make this season even more unforgettable than the last. Together. Always.”
Head coach Régis Le Bris also expressed his excitement about Xhaka’s imminent return, revealing that he intentionally avoided contacting the midfielder during his holiday to ensure he had enough time to recover after a demanding campaign.
Le Bris explained that allowing players to fully disconnect during their breaks is an important part of the club’s approach, while adding that Xhaka’s return will provide a significant boost to the squad.
“It’s more or less a rule not to contact players on their holidays,” Le Bris said.
“We want to give them an opportunity to rest and enjoy time with their family, but they’re still in touch with the club. We’re really looking forward to seeing him this week because he sets the standards. The standards here are already very good, but Granit is hugely important both as a player and as a leader. The influence he has on the behaviour and mentality of the whole squad will be a massive positive when he rejoins the team this week.”
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