Hleb agrees to join Arsenal

Belarus international midfielder Aleksander Hleb has today agreed to join Arsenal from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart on a long-term contract in a deal which could be worth up to £9.94million.

Belarus international midfielder Aleksander Hleb has today agreed to join Arsenal from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart on a long-term contract in a deal which could be worth up to £9.94m (€14.94m).

The player has still to pass a medical and obtain a work permit but Hleb is thrilled at the prospect of playing for the Gunners.

He told the club website, www.arsenal.com: “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.”

Hleb, 24, made 137 appearances in his five years with Stuttgart and has 18 caps for Belarus.

He played in all eight of Stuttgart’s matches in the 2003-4 Champions League, including two against Manchester United.

Gunners coach Arsene Wenger said: “We are delighted that Aleksander Hleb has agreed to join us. He is a player I have admired for some time now and I know he will provide our squad with great quality.

“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.”

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