Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay will undergo surgery on his right leg on Thursday.

The Spanish club says the Dutch international needs the operation to treat a "chronic muscle injury" in his right thigh.

The 27-year-old Afellay has had several injuries since joining Barcelona for the 2010-11 season. He underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee in October 2011.

Afellay played on loan for Schalke last season and was injured at the German team as well. He is back with Barcelona but hasn't been playing with the team.