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Official: Birmingham City sign Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb on season-long loan
Manager hails 'dream' signing...
31 Aug 2010 15:45:00
By Chris Myson
Birmingham City have confirmed the signing of Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb on a season-long loan deal.
The 29-year-old Belarusian playmaker – formerly of Arsenal and Stuttgart - has joined Alex McLeish's side until the end of the 2010-11 campaign.
Hleb made 130 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal during a three-year spell with the Gunners before joining Spanish champions Barca.
First-team chances were limited in his first season with the Catalans, prompting a loan move to the Bundesliga with Stuttgart last year and now Hleb has returned to the Premier League.
Reflecting on his new signing, McLeish admitted the move for a player of such quality is like a ‘dream’ for his club.
“Hleb is a top quality player - one who at one stage we'd only actually dreamed about really,” he told the club’s official website.
"This is a major signing for us and we are very happy to have him here. He is an extremely creative type who is skilful, a great dribbler and has an excellent touch and quick feet.
"Over the past year or so we have talked about him but with no real belief we could get him. We decided to give it a try and towards the end of the window we found out it might be possible.
"He has huge international experience and a great pedigree due to playing for clubs such as Stuttgart, Arsenal and Barcelona.
"As with all of the players we have brought to the club in recent times I'd like to thank the board for their support in making them happen."
The Blues also signed defender Martin Jiranek on a one-year deal earlier on transfer deadline day.
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The 29-year-old Belarusian playmaker – formerly of Arsenal and Stuttgart - has joined Alex McLeish's side until the end of the 2010-11 campaign.
Hleb made 130 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal during a three-year spell with the Gunners before joining Spanish champions Barca.
First-team chances were limited in his first season with the Catalans, prompting a loan move to the Bundesliga with Stuttgart last year and now Hleb has returned to the Premier League.
Reflecting on his new signing, McLeish admitted the move for a player of such quality is like a ‘dream’ for his club.
“Hleb is a top quality player - one who at one stage we'd only actually dreamed about really,” he told the club’s official website.
"This is a major signing for us and we are very happy to have him here. He is an extremely creative type who is skilful, a great dribbler and has an excellent touch and quick feet.
"Over the past year or so we have talked about him but with no real belief we could get him. We decided to give it a try and towards the end of the window we found out it might be possible.
"He has huge international experience and a great pedigree due to playing for clubs such as Stuttgart, Arsenal and Barcelona.
"As with all of the players we have brought to the club in recent times I'd like to thank the board for their support in making them happen."
The Blues also signed defender Martin Jiranek on a one-year deal earlier on transfer deadline day.
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