Grant Xhaka has immediately been thrust to the forefront of Sunderland’s plans ahead of their Premier League return.

The Black Cats’ busy summer of transfers has continued at pace after their promotion back to the top-flight, with Arthur Masuaku’s now-announced transfer set to shake things up in their left-back stocks.

Masuaku’s free transfer from Besiktas is the tenth signing of the window for Regis Le Bris‘ side with over £136million spent already, but Sunderland‘s highest-profile arrival so far is far from the most expensive.

Xhaka’s £17.3m move from Bayer Leverkusen to the Stadium of Light is expected to provide Sunderland with the steel needed to survive in the Premier League, and his role in pre-season so far suggests that he’ll be front and centre of their plans.

Xhaka continues Sunderland captaincy in Augsburg win

Sunderland’s pre-season results haven’t reflected the positivity generated by their transfer activity, with four straight defeats to Sporting, Hearts, Hull City and Real Betis before Saturday’s clash with Augsburg.

Xhaka has played the full 90 minutes of both their last two matches since his arrival, and in the absence of regular skipper Dan Neil, he captained the Black Cats as Habib Diarra’s goal secured a 1-0 victory.

Both Dan Ballard and Trai Hume would be go-to candidates to wear the armband with Neil unavailable, but Xhaka led Le Bris’ side throughout and posted on Instagram at full-time (9 August) after the win.