Sir Alex Ferguson played an instrumental role in helping Birmingham City secure the signing of Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb yesterday; after the Manchester United boss wrote a testimonial stating the former Arsenal star would be a major asset to the Premier League ahead of his work permit hearing.
According to the Sun, Alex McLeish travelled to London last night to ensure Hleb’s hearing was successful and with him took a reference from his old Aberdeen manager underlining the former Arsenal midfielder’s quality and worth to the Premier League.
The newspaper suggests the endorsement from the Manchester United manager helped officials decide that Hleb deserved his work permit, and the 29-year-old was then free to join Birmingham on a season long loan with a view to a permanent three year deal.
The former Arsenal midfielder, who made 89 appearances for the Gunners, claims he rejected offers from several Premier League clubs before deciding to move to St Andrews.
Hleb said: “I had several options to chose from — Liverpool, Tottenham, Benfica. That is why my final decision came so late because I had to think all the options over.
"Birmingham looked like a club who wanted me more than the others — that's why I preferred them.
"It was also important that I know the English Premier League very well.
"But Birmingham is a perfect option for me now when most of all I need to play.
"I realise it is not quite the same as Arsenal, playing in the Champions League, but first of all I need to get back to my old form.
"To be honest, I got a lot of things wrong in the last 18 months so Birmingham is a new chance for me."
[url=http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/42 ... turn_.aspx]http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/42 ... turn_.aspx[/url]
三個驚訝發現:
一, 費sir 原來係幫希比寫testimonial攞work permit (竟然唔係wenger)
二, 唔駛用錢買斷之餘, 原來呢個租借都係free既...
三, 利記, 熱刺, 賓菲加都有出手, 最後佢竟然選伯明翰(感動...
)
基於第三點, 伯明翰應該offer key player俾希比, 所以佢打正選既機會好高
