XHAKA CAN

Granit ready to rock as he accepts toughest challenge

- IAN MURTAGH

GRANIT XHAKA has vowed to play a lead role in an exciting new era for newly-promoted Sunderland.

On the day the ambitious Black Cats took their summer spending close to £140m with the £9.5m signing of Dutch Under-21 keeper Robin Roefs from Nijmegen, the former Arsenal skipper revealed he has set his sights high at the Stadium of Light.

"We are back to where this club needs to be and we want to stay here to write our own history," said the 32-year-old, who has agreed a three-year contract following his move from Bayer Leverkusen.