Granit Xhaka Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Career, Sunderland, Arsenal, Switzerland Captain, Net Worth & Facts

Granit Xhaka is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder and captains both Premier League club Sunderland and the Switzerland national team. Known for his leadership, passing range, and resilience, the Basel-born midfielder has built a distinguished career across Switzerland, Germany, and England, including major titles with Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, while becoming Switzerland’s most-capped player.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Granit Xhaka was born on September 27, 1992, in Basel, Switzerland, to Kosovar-Albanian parents Ragip and Elmaze Xhaka. His family fled political turmoil in Kosovo (then part of Yugoslavia) in 1990 after his father spent time as a political prisoner for supporting Kosovo’s independence. They arrived in Switzerland with very little and built a new life through hard work.

Xhaka and his older brother Taulant grew up in a working-class environment in Basel. Their parents often worked long hours, leaving the boys to look after themselves from a young age. Granit has spoken about receiving the house keys at age four and spending many hours alone with his brother while their parents worked. Football became an important outlet. He started at Concordia Basel before joining the FC Basel youth academy, where he progressed through the ranks alongside Taulant.

He was part of the Switzerland under-17 team that won the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Career Journey

Basel and Early Professional Years (2010–2012)

Xhaka made his senior debut for Basel in 2010. He helped the club win the Swiss Super League in 2010–11 and 2011–12, along with the Swiss Cup in 2011–12.

Borussia Mönchengladbach (2012–2016)

In 2012 he moved to the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach for a fee of around €8.5 million. After an adjustment period, he developed into a key player and club captain from 2015. He helped the side qualify for the Champions League and earned a reputation as a strong, technically gifted midfielder with leadership qualities.

Arsenal (2016–2023)

Xhaka joined Arsenal in 2016 for a fee reported around £30–35 million. Over seven seasons he made nearly 300 appearances, served as club captain, and won the FA Cup twice (2016–17 and 2019–20) plus the Community Shield on two occasions. His time at Arsenal included challenging periods, including a notable fallout with supporters in 2019 after which he was temporarily stripped of the captaincy. He regained his place under Mikel Arteta and became an important figure in the squad before departing in 2023.

Bayer Leverkusen (2023–2025)

In 2023 Xhaka returned to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen. He played a central role under Xabi Alonso as the club won its first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season, completing an unbeaten league campaign. Leverkusen also won the DFB-Pokal that year (Xhaka scored in the final) and later the German Super Cup. The side reached the Europa League final but finished as runners-up.

Sunderland (2025–present)

In July 2025 Xhaka signed for newly promoted Premier League club Sunderland on a three-year deal for a reported fee of around £13–17 million. He was named captain and quickly became a key leader. In the 2025–26 season he helped Sunderland finish seventh and qualify for the Europa League, contributing consistently with high passing and involvement numbers. In summer 2026 Chelsea showed interest in signing him to reunite with Xabi Alonso, but both Xhaka and manager Régis Le Bris confirmed he would stay at Sunderland.

International Career

Xhaka debuted for Switzerland’s senior team in 2011. By mid-2026 he had earned 152 caps and 18 goals, making him the nation’s record appearance holder. He has captained the side and represented Switzerland at four FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) and three UEFA European Championships (2016, 2020, 2024). He scored in multiple World Cups and remains a central figure for the national team.

Career Stats Highlights (approximate club totals as of 2026)

• Basel: Significant contributions to league and cup success
• Borussia Mönchengladbach: Over 140 appearances
• Arsenal: Nearly 300 appearances, 2 FA Cups
• Bayer Leverkusen: Key role in historic double
• Sunderland: Regular starter and captain in Premier League return

Personal Life

Granit Xhaka married Leonita Lekaj in July 2017 after several years together. Leonita, who has Albanian-Kosovan roots and works as a model and social media influencer, has been a steady presence throughout his career moves. The couple have three daughters: Ayana (born 2019), Laneya (born 2021), and Neyana (born March 2025).

Xhaka is close to his family and has often credited his parents’ sacrifices and resilience for shaping his character. His brother Taulant also pursued a professional football career, representing Albania at senior level while Granit chose Switzerland. The family has interests in real estate, and Granit co-owns a clothing/lifestyle brand called Grajo.

Dating History / Relationships

Xhaka has been in a long-term relationship with Leonita Lekaj since around 2015. They married in 2017. No other notable public relationships are documented.

Controversies

Xhaka has been involved in several high-profile moments:

• Temperament issues and disciplinary concerns during his early years and at Arsenal, including a well-publicized incident in 2019 where he reacted angrily to sections of the home crowd and was stripped of the captaincy.
• A controversial goal celebration against Serbia at the 2018 World Cup that carried political undertones linked to his Kosovar-Albanian heritage.
• Occasional criticism for yellow cards and aggressive style of play throughout his career.

Despite these moments, he has generally rebuilt relationships with fans and clubs through consistent performances and leadership.

Awards & Achievements

• Swiss Super League winner (2×) with Basel
• Swiss Cup winner with Basel
• FA Cup winner (2×) with Arsenal
• FA Community Shield winner (2×) with Arsenal
• Bundesliga winner (2023–24) with Bayer Leverkusen (unbeaten season)
• DFB-Pokal winner (2023–24) with Bayer Leverkusen
• German Super Cup winner
• FIFA U-17 World Cup winner (2009) with Switzerland
• Swiss Footballer of the Year (multiple times, including 2017, 2022, 2023)
• Bundesliga Team of the Season
• Sunderland Player of the Season (2025–26)
• Switzerland’s all-time most-capped player (152+ caps)

Physical Statistics

• Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
• Weight: Approximately 80–82 kg
• Preferred Foot: Left
• Position: Defensive midfielder / Central midfielder
• Strong, athletic build suited to a box-to-box or deep-lying role

Quotes

• On his upbringing: “We started in Switzerland with nothing… Being practically a political refugee at such a young age. Without doubt, being a strong person is part of my character. I have never run away from anything.”
• On leadership learned early: He has described receiving the house keys at age four while his parents worked long hours, saying it shaped his sense of responsibility.
• On challenges: Xhaka has spoken about learning resilience from difficult periods at Arsenal and valuing new challenges later in his career.

Favorites

Not extensively listed in public profiles, though family, football leadership roles, and his fashion/real-estate interests are frequently mentioned.

Earnings / Net Worth

Xhaka has earned substantial wages across top European clubs. Recent estimates place his net worth in the region of $20–45 million, built from club salaries (notably high earnings at Arsenal and solid contracts at Leverkusen and Sunderland), endorsements, and business interests including a clothing brand and real estate. At Sunderland he has been reported on a significant weekly wage consistent with a high-profile Premier League captain.

Interesting Facts

• His parents fled Kosovo for Switzerland in 1990 after his father was imprisoned for political activity.
• He and his brother Taulant faced each other internationally when Switzerland played Albania.
• He captained Bayer Leverkusen during their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season.
• Xhaka chose to represent Switzerland despite his Albanian heritage; his brother chose Albania.
• He has spoken multiple languages fluently, including Albanian, German (Swiss German), French, and English.
• In 2026 he helped lead Sunderland to European qualification in their first season back in the Premier League.

Did You Know Already?

• Granit Xhaka is Switzerland’s record appearance holder with over 150 caps.
• He won the U-17 World Cup with Switzerland in 2009.
• He was Arsenal captain and later played a major role in Bayer Leverkusen’s first-ever Bundesliga title.
• He is married with three daughters and maintains strong family ties rooted in his parents’ immigrant story.
• In summer 2026 he rejected the idea of leaving Sunderland despite interest from Chelsea.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @granitxhaka (primary personal and professional account)
• Official club and national team channels also feature him regularly
• He maintains a relatively professional presence focused on football, family, and occasional brand content

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Granit Xhaka?
He was born on September 27, 1992, and is 33 years old (turning 34 in September 2026).

What is Granit Xhaka’s height?
He is 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) tall.

Who is Granit Xhaka’s wife?
He is married to Leonita Lekaj (Leonita Xhaka). They wed in 2017 and have three daughters.

Which club does Granit Xhaka play for?
As of 2026 he plays for and captains Sunderland in the Premier League. He also captains the Switzerland national team.

What teams has Granit Xhaka played for?
FC Basel, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, and Sunderland.

Conclusion

Granit Xhaka’s career is a story of resilience, leadership, and consistent high-level performance. From a refugee family background in Basel to captaining clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga and becoming Switzerland’s most-capped player, he has overcome challenges both on and off the pitch. At Sunderland he continues to show the same drive that defined his earlier successes. Share this biography if you found the details on his journey, family, and achievements useful.