Name: Granit Xhaka

• Full name: Granit Xhaka
• Date of birth: September 27, 1992
• Place of birth: Baset, Basel, Switzerland
• Nationality: Swiss (also of Kosovan Albanian descent)
• Position: Central/defensive midfielder
• Preferred foot: Right

Club career (selected):

• Youth clubs: Concordia Basel, FC Basel
• FC Basel: Senior debut 2010–2012 — won Swiss Super League titles and gained recognition
• Borussia Mönchengladbach: 2012–2016 — established himself in the Bundesliga
• Arsenal FC: 2016–2023 — became club captain (2019–2022), regular starter in midfield, known for passing range and long throws
• FC Bayer Leverkusen: 2023–present — transferred in 2023 to continue playing in the Bundesliga

International career (Switzerland):

• Senior debut: 2011
• Appearances (caps): Over 100 caps for the Switzerland national team
• Major tournaments: Represented Switzerland at multiple UEFA European Championships (2016, 2020/2021) and FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022)
• Role: Regular starter and influential midfielder for the national side

Playing style & attributes:

• Strong passer with excellent long-range distribution
• Physically robust and combative in midfield, capable of breaking up play
• Leadership qualities — served as Arsenal captain and long-time Switzerland senior team stalwart
• Occasional discipline issues: has received yellow and red cards in high-profile matches, reflecting his combative style

Honours & notable achievements (selected):

• Swiss Super League titles with FC Basel
• FA Cup winner with Arsenal (2016–17, 2019–20) and other domestic cup finals appearances
• Over 100 caps for Switzerland, marking him as one of the nation's most-capped midfielders

Personal notes: Born to Kosovan Albanian parents, Xhaka chose to represent Switzerland at senior international level after progressing through Swiss youth teams. Respected for his leadership and influence on and off the pitch.