Sunderland AFC are delighted to announce the signing of Kosovan international defender Arbenit Xhemajli.
The 22-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light after spending time with the club throughout pre-season, during which he sported the famous red and white stripes in a 3-1 win over Gateshead.
Xhemajli becomes Phil Parkinson’s fifth signing of the summer, arriving after a six-figure compensation payment was agreed with Swiss club Neuchâtel Xamax following the end of his contract.
The left-footed defender made his first-team debut back in 2017 and has since gone on to make over 50 career appearances in Switzerland.
In October 2019, Xhemajli made his senior international debut for Kosovo against Gibraltar after previously making five appearances for the Under-21s.
Following his move to Wearside, Xhemajli said: “It feels great to get the deal done. I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started. I had some positive talks with the manager and from what I have seen, I believe we will have a successful season.”
Parkinson added: “We're trying to build a team that can step onto the opposition and be aggressive in the way we play. He has that physicality, but he's also a good footballer. There will be a period of adaptation for him, but he's a player who wants to learn and one who I think will be a quick learner."
Xhemajli will not be eligible to feature this weekend in SAFC’s Carabao Cup tie against Hull City.