(CNN) -- Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the American soldier held captive for nearly five years by militants during the Afghanistan war, has been released, the White House said Saturday. "Today the American people are pleased that we will be able to welcome home Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, held captive for nearly five years," the White House said in a statement. In a statememt, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said he had informed Congress of the decision to transfer five detainees from Guantánamo Bay to Qatar.