Alexander Hleb has completed his move from Arsenal to Barcelona after signing a four-year contract with the Catalan giants.

The Belarus international landed in Barcelona on Wednesday morning and after spending the day undertaking various medical tests sealed his switch this evening.

The 27-year-old midfielder will cost Barca an initial 15 million euros (£12million), rising to 17 million (£13.5million) depending on the club's success during Hleb's spell.

The buy-out clause in Hleb's contract with Barca has been set at 90 million euros (£71million).

Hleb, who has been linked with a move to Barca all summer, becomes the fifth signing of the close season for the Nou Camp club, who will be under the guidance of Pep Guardiola next term after he replaced Frank Rijkaard as coach at the end of 2007-08.

Already brought in by Barca are Sevilla duo Seydou Keita and Dani Alves, as well as Manchester United defender Gerard Pique and Martin Caceres from Villarreal.

Hleb spent the last three seasons at Arsenal after joining the Barclays Premier League side from German club Stuttgart. Prior to that he played for BATE Borisov in Belarus.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: "We must firstly thank Alex for his contribution towards Arsenal during his time with us.

"He played a significant role in the three seasons he was with the club.

"We are comfortable with our decision to let him go and we are all looking forward to continuing our preparations for the new season ahead.

"Everyone at Arsenal wishes Alex the best of luck for the future."

ALEXANDER HLEB FACTFILE

1981: May 1 - Born in Minsk.

1999: Wins the Belorussian league championship with FC Bate Borisov.

2000: After scoring 10 times in 40 appearances, moves to Stuttgart.

2001: Having won 30 under-21 caps, makes his senior international debut in a 1-0 defeat by Wales in Cardiff.

2002: Scores on his first senior international start for Belarus, a 5-2 victory over Hungary in April. Voted Belarus sportsman of the year.

2002/03: Plays in Stuttgart's UEFA Cup campaign, including both legs of 4-5 aggregate defeat in the fourth round against Celtic, in which he scores in the 3-2 second-leg win in Germany.

2003: Runner-up in German Bundesliga with Stuttgart.

2005: July - Agrees to join Arsenal in a long-term deal worth up to £10million.

2006: January 14 - Scores first competitive goal for the Gunners in a 7-0 win over Middlesbrough.

February 8 - Reports claim Hleb is unsettled in London after struggling initially to hold down a starting place.

2008: March 19 - Inter Milan are forced to deny reports they made an illegal approach for the midfielder.

May 9 - Hleb's agent claims he will leave Arsenal over the summer.

June 19 - Barcelona vice-president Marc Ingla claims the club are in talks to sign Hleb.

July 8 - Quoted criticising manager Arsene Wenger and team-mate Cesc Fabregas. Later retracts his comments.

July 16 - Completes a £12million transfer to Barcelona after signing a four-year deal.

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