Career Timeline of Granit Xhaka: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Granit Xhaka built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Granit Xhaka is a Swiss professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder and captains both Premier League club Sunderland and the Switzerland national team. He is known for his strong tackling, passing range, and leadership qualities. Xhaka has also played for clubs like Arsenal and Borussia Mönchengladbach. His career has been marked by both moments of brilliance and disciplinary issues.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2002: Moved to Basel Youth Department

At the end of 2002, Granit Xhaka and his brother Taulant moved to the youth department of Basel.

2006: Swiss Championship U-15

In the 2006–07 season he was member of the U-15 team that won the Swiss championship, creating a record for eternity.

2007: Swiss Championship U-16

In the 2007–08 season, Xhaka was a member of the U-16 team that won the Swiss championship, remaining undefeated throughout the entire season.

November 2008: Debut in Basel's U-21 Team

On November 15, 2008, Xhaka was substituted on in the 83rd minute as Basel won 2–1 against Cham. During the second half of the season Xhaka played nine further games for the U-21, scoring one goal and at the end of the season became division champions and won the championship at U-21 level.

2009: Advanced to U-18 Team

During the 2008–09 season Xhaka advanced to the U-18 team, but was nevertheless called up to Basel's U-21 team. To the beginning of the 2009–10 season Xhaka advanced to become member of the U-21 squad, however was still eligible to play for the U-18 team, who at the end of the season became Swiss champions at their level.

May 2010: First game for Switzerland U-19

On May 25, 2010, Xhaka played his first game for the Switzerland national under-19 team as a substitute in a 3–2 win against Austria national under-19 football team in Schwaz, Austria.

July 2010: First Team Debut for Basel

In July 2010, Xhaka debuted for Basel's first team in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Debrecen, scoring a goal to secure the victory.

September 2010: First game for under-21 side

On September 3, 2010, Xhaka made his debut for the Switzerland under-21 side as a substitute in a 1–0 win against the Republic of Ireland during the qualification for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

September 2010: First goal for the U-19

On September 7, 2010, Xhaka scored his first goal for the U-19 team in a 3–0 victory against the Czech Republic.

May 2011: First Super League Goal and Championship Win

On May 15, 2011, Xhaka scored his first Super League goal for Basel and at the end of the 2010–11 league season, Xhaka won the championship title with the team.

June 2011: Debut for Switzerland

On June 4, 2011, Xhaka debuted for Switzerland in a 2–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying draw against England at Wembley Stadium.

November 2011: First international goal

On November 15, 2011, Xhaka scored his first international goal in a 1–0 away win against Luxembourg at the Stade Josy Barthel.

2011: Won League Championship

At the end of the 2011–12 season Xhaka won the League Championship title with the Basel team.

2011: Senior National Team Debut

In 2011, Xhaka made his senior debut for the Switzerland national team.

May 2012: Swiss Cup Win

On May 16, 2012, Xhaka and Basel won the Swiss Cup after a penalty shoot-out. At the end of the season he left the club.

May 2012: Agreed Terms with Borussia Mönchengladbach

On May 18, 2012, Basel announced that Xhaka had agreed terms with Borussia Mönchengladbach, signing a five-year deal after completing medical checks.

August 2012: Debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach

In August 2012, Xhaka debuted for Borussia Mönchengladbach, appearing in a DFB-Pokal match against Alemannia Aachen and in a Champions League qualification match against Dynamo Kyiv. On August 25, he made his Bundesliga debut in the team's opening match of the season, a 2–1 home win against 1899 Hoffenheim.

2012: Opted out of Olympic Football tournament

In 2012, Switzerland attempted to select Xhaka to participate in the Olympic Football tournament, but he chose to stay with his new club for pre-season training.

2012: Move to Borussia Mönchengladbach

In 2012, Xhaka moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach and began developing a reputation as a gifted player, though criticism for his temperament remained.

June 2014: Named in Switzerland's 2014 World Cup squad

On June 2, 2014, Xhaka was named in Switzerland's 2014 World Cup squad by national coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

2014: Started 29 times for Gladbach

In his second season at the club, Xhaka started 29 times and made five substitute appearances as Gladbach finished in sixth place in the 2014–15 Bundesliga.

September 2015: Captained Borussia and Scored First Goal of the Season

On September 23, 2015, Xhaka captained Borussia and scored his first goal of the season in a 4–2 win over FC Augsburg. In the next match, against VfB Stuttgart, Xhaka again captained the side and scored a goal in a 3–1 win. On September 30, he made his first appearance for Borussia in the Champions League proper in a 1–2 group stage loss at home to Manchester City.

2015: Named in Bundesliga Team of the Season

In 2014–15, Xhaka started all 34 Bundesliga matches for Borussia and was named in the league's team of the season. Borussia finished in third place to qualify for the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.

2015: Appointed Borussia Mönchengladbach Captain

In 2015, Xhaka was appointed club captain for Borussia Mönchengladbach. As captain he twice led the team to UEFA Champions League qualification.

September 2016: First Goal for Arsenal

In September 2016, Xhaka scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 4–1 Premier League victory against Hull City, also scoring in a 4-0 EFL Cup defeat of Nottingham Forest.

2016: Signs for Arsenal

In 2016, Xhaka signed for Premier League club Arsenal for a fee in the region of £30 million.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016

In 2016, Xhaka was selected for UEFA Euro 2016, where Switzerland played against Albania in the opening match. His team won 1–0, and he was named man of the match. Switzerland's campaign ended in the round of 16 with a loss to Poland after a penalty shoot-out where Xhaka missed his penalty.

2016: Disqualified from changing allegiance

In 2016, Xhaka's participation in Euro 2016 disqualified him from changing his allegiance, tying him to Switzerland.

2017: FA Cup and Community Shield Win

In 2017, Xhaka featured throughout Arsenal's FA Cup campaign, starting in the final against Chelsea which Arsenal won 2–1. Xhaka also played in the 2017 Community Shield that Arsenal won on penalties over Chelsea.

September 2018: Free Kick Goal Against Newcastle United

On September 15, 2018, Xhaka scored the first goal, from a direct free kick, in a 2–1 victory against Newcastle United.

October 2018: Free Kick Goal Against Crystal Palace

On October 28, 2018, Granit Xhaka scored again from a free kick against Crystal Palace.

2018: Speculation about switching allegiance

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, there was speculation that Xhaka could switch his allegiance to represent Kosovo, but he confirmed his commitment to Switzerland.

September 2019: Offered captaincy to Shaqiri

In September 2019, Xhaka offered his captaincy to Xherdan Shaqiri in an effort to get him to return to the national side.

September 2019: Confirmed as Arsenal Captain

On September 27, 2019, Arsenal manager Unai Emery confirmed that Xhaka would be the new captain for the Gunners, replacing Laurent Koscielny.

August 2020: FA Cup Final Win

On August 1, 2020, Xhaka started in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea, and went on to win his second winners' medal as Arsenal won their 14th FA Cup.

August 2020: FA Community Shield victory

On August 28, 2020, Xhaka was in the starting 11 in the 2020 FA Community Shield, which Arsenal clinched a 5–4 victory over Liverpool in the penalty shootout.

December 2020: Red Card Against Burnley and Goal Against Chelsea

In December 2020, Xhaka was sent off in a match against Burnley on December 13, and scored his first Premier League goal of the 2020–21 season in a 3–1 win against Chelsea on December 26.

June 2021: UEFA Euro 2020

In June 2021, Xhaka was selected for the Switzerland squad for UEFA Euro 2020 and captained the team. He missed the quarter-final match against Spain due to suspension.

November 2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup

In November 2022, Xhaka was selected for the Switzerland squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played every minute of Switzerland's four matches of the tournament.

2022: First Goal of the Season

In the 2022–23 season, Xhaka scored his first goal against Leicester City in a 4–2 victory during their first home game of the season.

July 2023: Signed for Bayer Leverkusen

On July 6, 2023, Xhaka signed for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract for a fee of €25 million (£21.4 million).

October 2023: Equalled Heinz Hermann's record

On October 15, 2023, during UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Xhaka equalled Heinz Hermann's record of 118 appearances for the Swiss national team.

2023: Returns to Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen

In 2023, Xhaka returned to the Bundesliga, joining Bayer Leverkusen and helped the club to their first-ever league title in his debut season.

February 2024: First Goal for Leverkusen

On February 23, 2024, Xhaka scored his first goal for Bayer Leverkusen in a 2–1 victory against Mainz 05.

June 2024: Named Man of the Match

In June 2024, Xhaka was named in Switzerland's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He captained the team to 3–1 over Hungary in their opening Group A match and was named Man of the match.

August 2024: Scores opening goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach

On August 2024, Xhaka scored the opening goal of the 2024–25 Bundesliga season from long-distance against Borussia Mönchengladbach in a 3–2 victory for Leverkusen. He did not celebrate out of respect for his former club.

July 2025: Signs for Sunderland

In July 2025, Xhaka returned to England, signing a three-year contract with newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland for an initial fee of £13 million, with an additional £4 million in add-ons. He was then named Sunderland captain.