Eight time Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund have loaned out their attacking midfield player Jakub Blaszczykowski, 29, to Serie A’s Fiorentina until the end of the season.

Known as “Kuba”, he transferred from Wisła Kraków to BVB in the summer of 2007 and has made 197 Bundesliga appearances (27 goals and 43 assists) and 24 appearances in the UEFA Champions League (3 goals and one assist) for BVB. The Poland international won the Bundesliga title with the Black and Yellows in 2011 and 2012, the double in 2012 and played in the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2013.

“Kuba is not just a brilliant footballer but he’s a wonderful person as well. It’s important for him to get a lot of match practice ahead of the European Championships in 2016. We wish him all the best with his sporting future in Florence and will be following his progress closely. Kuba has been a wonderful servant to BVB, celebrated great success with our club and will remain a part of the BVB family forever”, said BVB sporting director Michael Zorc.