He’s focused on one thing: helping Sunderland rise — and making sure the last laugh belongs to them.

Granit Xhaka has opened up on the decision that shocked many across Europe — and the ridicule that followed it.

“When I made the choice, people were laughing at me,” Xhaka admitted. But behind the noise, the former Arsenal captain says he saw something others didn’t.

Xhaka explained that Sunderland’s ambition, project, and belief in him made the decision feel right from the very first conversation. While outsiders questioned the move, the midfielder insists the club’s vision matched his hunger and experience.

“I didn’t come here for the headlines,” Xhaka added. “I came because this club wants to grow — and I want to be part of that journey.”

And Xhaka’s conviction didn’t stop there.

The Swiss international revealed that Sunderland’s honesty played a huge role in sealing the deal. No false promises. No glamour talk. Just a clear plan — and a challenge he was ready to embrace.

“They told me exactly where the club is, where they want to go, and what they expect from me,” Xhaka said. “That respect mattered.”

While critics mocked the move, Xhaka saw leadership, unity, and a fanbase desperate for something real to believe in. He believes Sunderland are a sleeping giant — and he wants to help wake it up.

Now, with his experience and mentality, Xhaka isn’t just here to play football. He’s here to lead, to fight, and to prove that sometimes the loudest laughs come from those who don’t see the bigger picture.

And inside the dressing room, Xhaka’s impact is already being felt.

Those close to the club say his mentality has raised standards almost instantly — from training intensity to leadership off the pitch. Younger players, in particular, have gravitated towards him, drawn by the experience of a man who has captained Arsenal, played Champions League football, and survived the harshest criticism at the highest level.

Xhaka knows what it’s like to be doubted — and that’s exactly why Sunderland feels like home.

“I’ve been written off before,” he said. “This club has too. That connection was immediate.”

What once looked like a risky gamble is beginning to resemble a calculated move — one built on belief, resilience, and unfinished business. The laughter hasn’t disappeared, but Xhaka doesn’t hear it anymore.