BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

Monday, June 27, 2005 Posted: 2049 GMT (0449 HKT)

Belarussian Hleb signs for Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of Hleb

LONDON, England -- Belarussian international Alexander Hleb has agreed to join Arsenal, the English Premier League club have confirmed.

The fee for the 24-year-old midfielder could be as much as ?10 million - although the transfer is subject to the player passing a medical and obtaining a work permit.

Hleb has been with Stuttgart for the last five years, making 137 appearances for the Bundesliga club.

Manager Arsene Wenger told the Arsenal website: "We are very happy that Alexander has agreed to join us. He's a player I have admired for some time now."

Hleb, who has won 18 international caps for Belarus, said he was delighted to be moving to the north London club.

"I am very happy to have this fantastic opportunity to join Arsenal. They are a club with a great history and many world-class players."

Wenger added: "Hleb has proved his ability with his performances in the Bundesliga in recent seasons and he definitely has the potential to do very well with Arsenal."

Stuttgart director Herbert Briem said he was happy that the chapter was finished.

"All this speculation that agitated everybody is finally at an end," he said. "Alex wanted to go to Arsenal at any price.

The midfielder will join up with the Arsenal first team squad when they return for pre-season training in early July.

Arsenal won the FA Cup in May and finished runners-up in the league to Chelsea.

Source:

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/06/27/england.hleb/