Barcelona's much-travelled forward Alexander Hleb said Wednesday he is grateful for the chance to impress at German league side VfL Wolfsburg after being loaned to the 2009 Bundesliga champions.
The 30-year-old Belarus international has been signed by Wolfsburg until December 31 and is expected to start training again in two weeks as he recovers from a knee operation in June.
"I would like to thank (Wolfsburg's coach) Felix Magath for believing in me, even though I am not really fit at the moment," said Hleb.
"In ten to 14 days, I expect to be back in training."
Wolfsburg have the option of extending Hleb's stay if he proves a success, but he is not expected to play until at least October.
Having joined Barcelona from Arsenal in 2008, Hleb found himself first on loan at VfB Stuttgart, then spent last season at Birmingham City and having signed on loan at Wolfsburg, he is at his fourth club in three years.
He has plenty of experience in the German league having made 164 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart during five seasons, when he was coached by Magath, before joining Arsenal in 2005.
Magath says he has no concerns about Hleb's talent.
"It's not about testing his skills here, they are already well known to us," said Magath.
"The point is to avoid a risk because of his injury."
Hleb said he was looking forward to working again with Magath, who has won the German league title three times with Bayern Munich, twice, and Wolfsburg.
"For me, it was important that I know the coach," said Hleb.
"Wolfsburg is a step forward for me and I will again be successful here."
Source: AFP
