Granit Xhaka prepares for life after football as former Arsenal star becomes head of fashion brand
The Swiss midfielder spent seven years with the Gunners, captaining the side and winning two FA Cups.
2
2
He joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, and has since won the Bundesliga title and German Cup.
Xhaka, 32, co-founded the Grajo streetwear label two years ago. He has now taken full charge of the company.
The Switzerland international said: "We have agreed that I will take complete control, and go full steam into the future.
"I have turned the company's focus more towards my own vision. Besides streetwear, we have customers who favour a more elegant style.
"There is a broad spectrum from comfort to stylishness. I offer my new collections to my Leverkusen teammates.
"Their reactions have been positive. Many of them like the styles, and are happy to wear the clothes.
"At present we sell online, as that is the best way to bring our collections direct to the public, but this is only the start.
"I can foresee us opening shops as well. Social media plays a central role, and I want us to become established in both Europe and the USA.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
"I am learning new ways of manufacturing the clothes. It's really interesting for me to see.
"I have always lived for fashion, and all the more so now with my own!
Why Xhaka is Football's Greatest Comeback
"My wife Leonita supports my fashion and style completely. That means a lot to me."
Xhaka made 297 Arsenal appearances, scoring 23 goals, following a £35million move from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.
The Basel-born ace has since gone on to break Switzerland 's caps record, scoring 14 times in 135 games.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arsenal reignite interest in Eberechi Eze after Kai Havertz injury setback
Arsenal have reignited their interest in Crystal Palace 's Eberechi Eze after Kai Havertz picked up a knee injury and faces a spell on the sidelines. The Gunners were keen on Eze earlier in the window but Tottenham moved ahead of them to negotiate a deal in the region of £55m plus add-ons. Spurs have had days of negotiations, which have at times been 'difficult', with Palace but are yet to finalise a deal giving Arsenal the belief they can hijack the transfer at the last minute. The extent of Havertz's injury is being assessed but Arsenal would want enough cover in the forward areas with Gabriel Jesus still out until at least November. Arsenal also have players available in positions coveted by Palace, such as Jakub Kiwior, but any suggestion of potential swaps would need to be made in a deal separate to the one for Eze. Negotiations are moving quickly and the principle of a deal with Palace is already in place for Arsenal, with that believed to be similar to the approximate £60m package offered by Spurs but including faster payment terms. In their dealings with Tottenham, Palace have asked for more of the eventual fee paid up front to ensure they can secure a replacement for Eze. They also want to get that player in place before releasing the 27-year-old. For Arsenal, the view from numerous sources was that they preferred is to sell players first before committing to a purchase and then being under pressure to sell before the end of the window. Havertz's injury has potentially changed that and the Gunners feel confident they can convince Eze to choose them over Tottenham having long been rumoured to be the winger's first preference for a move.
The Independent
38 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arsenal set to hijack Tottenham's move for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze
Arsenal are set to hijack north London rivals Tottenham's pursuit of Eberechi Eze as they await news on Kai Havertz' knee injury. As late as Tuesday Spurs appeared to be in the driving seat for the forward, with talks progressing over a deal for the 27-year-old. However, the PA news agency understands the Gunners are now exploring a move, with reports suggesting the England international prefers a switch to Mikel Arteta's side. Their interest has accelerated after Havertz was forced off in Sunday's victory over Manchester United, although sources insist it is still too early to give a prognosis on the Germany international. Eze, whose £68million release clause expired on Friday, played 84 minutes of the weekend draw at Chelsea and trained on Wednesday ahead of Palace's Conference League play-off at home to Fredrikstad, with head coach Oliver Glasner insisting he and captain Marc Guehi, a target for Liverpool, would start the European tie. 'Before Chelsea I think many of you were surprised that Marc and Ebs started and played almost the whole game,' he said. 'Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours. But again, they are committed.' Eze was released by Arsenal as a 13-year-old.
Telegraph
39 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Arsenal hijack Tottenham's deal for Eberechi Eze
Arsenal have made a dramatic move to hijack Tottenham Hotspur's bid to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury that has left the club sweating on his fitness. Havertz is still waiting on the full prognosis of his injury that is a blow to head coach Mikel Arteta, but Arsenal have not wasted any time in reviving their interest and attempting to steal Eze from under the noses of Spurs. Tottenham had been close to sealing a deal to sign Eze for around £55m plus add-ons with the player ready to join them, but sources claim he will favour a move to Arsenal if both clubs can agree a fee with Palace. Arsenal are believed to be ready to offer a total package worth over £60m for Eze with sporting director Andrea Berta leading the pursuit of the player and an agreement is expected to be reached. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on Wednesday claimed that Eze will play for his team in their Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad on Thursday night. It is believed that Spurs are ready to move on to other targets if Eze moves to Arsenal in what would be a bitter blow to head coach Thomas Frank and chairman Daniel Levy. Tottenham have enjoyed some success this summer with the signings of Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha, and agreeing a new contract with captain Cristian Romero. But the club missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White and losing Eze to Arsenal will undoubtedly anger supporters. Sources had expected Arsenal to initially look at the loan market or for cheap options to find cover for Havertz, but the club instead swiftly revisited their interest in Eze as Tottenham failed to close a deal for the player. Tottenham had even discussed the possibility of allowing Richarlison to move in the opposite direction to Eze, to Crystal Palace, to free up funds and space to then rival Newcastle United's bid for Yoane Wissa. It remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal will try to make any sales if they sign Eze after Leandro Trossard, who had been tipped to move away, signed a new contract on improved terms. Arteta cannot afford another attacking crisis, having been forced to play midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker last season. The club have signed striker Victor Gyokeres and winger Noni Madueke this summer, but Gabriel Jesus has not played since January and Havertz's injury could leave Arteta short of forward options.
