Borussia Monchengladbach's 19-year-old midfielder Granit Xhaka has been given permission by the Swiss Football Association to not be called up to Switzerland's Olympics squad, so that he can appear in his club side's Champions League qualifiers instead.
Monchengladbach's sporting director Max Eberl described how the club were "pleased that Granit is here", after the agreement was made between the two parties.
A compromise was agreed between the club and the Swiss Football Association whereby Xhaka would not take part in the Olympics, but he would join up with the senior national team on 15 August, for their match against Croatia.
Eberl spoke of how it was a decision made by the player, the club, and those in charge of his national side.
"This decision is good not just for Borussia, but also for Granit himself. We believe we have found a good comprimise. It's important to take part in pre-season for a new club for Granit. But his career with the national team is also important, so it's good that he can be there for the international match in Croatia in August," he stated.
Meanwhile, the player himself, who only joined the club in May after a successful couple of seasons with Basel, made clear where his priorities are: "I do not want to go to London. My focus is clearly on Borussia. I told those in charge of Switzerland that, too."
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