Hleb loaned by Barca to German side Wolfsburg

Barcelona: Barcelona have loaned Belarus midfielder Alexander Hleb to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Barcelona Vice-President of Football Operations Josep Maria Bartomeu announced the deal on Wednesday. He said the cost of the operation will come down to the number of games played by the 30-year-old Hleb, who is under contract with the Spanish champions until 2012.

The former Arsenal player hasn't fit into Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola's plans over the past two seasons and spent those on loan at Stuttgart, then last season at Birmingham City.

Hleb is also recovering from a knee injury.

Wolfsburg's Felix Magath was Germany's busiest coach on Wednesday as he tried to overhaul his team on the last day of the transfer window following a poor start to the season.

Already dumped out of the German Cup and struggling in the league with three loses from four games, 2009 champions Wolfsburg reacted by bringing in Hleb and shipping out unwanted midfielder Diego to Atletico Madrid.

Both are loan deals, with Belarus midfielder Hleb secured until December 31, while Diego will stay in the Spanish capital until the end of the season at least.

"I'm convinced Diego will play an outstanding role in Madrid. I wish him all the best," Magath said.

Wolfsburg had been pushing for a sale for the 28-year-old Brazilian, who skipped a crucial relegation battle on the final day of last season. Diego was fined and did not play for Wolfsburg again.

Magath, who trained Hleb from 2001-04 at Stuttgart, said he expected his new No. 6 to "take on an important role in the team."

Wolfsburg also confirmed the arrival of Brazilian defender Chris, who last played for relegated Eintracht Frankfurt.

The wheeling and dealing Magath has let three defenders go — Simon Kjaer on loan to Roma with an option to buy, the 18-year-old left back Florian Hartherz to Werder Bremen, and Slovakia's Peter Pekarik to Turkish side Kayserispor for a reported 1.5 million Euros.