Source: Team_Talk
Blues capture Hleb and Jiranek
irmingham have signed Alexander Hleb on a season-long loan deal and Spartak Moscow captain Martin Jiranek on a one-year contract.[LNB] The 29-year-old former Arsenal midfielder is Blues' sixth summer signing and the second on deadline day after they also completed a deal for defender Jiranek this afternoon.[LNB]Hleb made 89 appearances for Arsenal before leaving the club to join Barcelona two years ago.[LNB]The Belarus international has struggled for first-team football in Catalonia, however, and was also farmed out on a season-long loan the German side Stuttgart last season.[LNB]Blues, meanwhile, have paid an undisclosed fee for 31-year-old Czech Republic hardman Jiranek.[LNB]Birmingham boss Alex McLeish told the club's website: "We are short at the back with regards to defensive cover.[LNB]"Jiranek has tremendous experience on club, European and international fronts.[LNB]"He is a good presence and his arrival will keep Roger Johnson and Scott Dann on their toes."[LNB]Jiranek, who has 31 international caps, cost Spartak £4.7million in 2004.[LNB]McLeish described Hleb's arrival as a "major signing", less than a week after they missed out on securing the services of Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia.[LNB]"Hleb is a top quality player - one who at one stage we'd only actually dreamed about really," he said. "Over the past year or so we have talked about him but with no real belief we could get him.[LNB]"We decided to give it a try and towards the end of the window we found out it might be possible.[LNB]"This is a major signing for us and we are very happy to have him here.[LNB]"He is an extremely creative type who is skilful, a great dribbler and has an excellent touch and great feet.[LNB]"He has huge international experience and great pedigree due to playing for such clubs as Stuttgart, Arsenal and Barcelona.[LNB]"As with all 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."[LNB]The duo join fellow summer signings Ben Foster, Nikola Zigic, Matt Derbyshire and Eric Valles as Birmingham look to improve on their ninth-place finish last term.
