Olof Mellberg Bio Send To Friend  

A towering defender, signed by Aston Villa from Racing Santander for £5.6million in July 2001, Mellberg has also played for AIK Solna and Degerfors.

The Swedish international, who was signed as the replacement for Gareth Southgate, became the most expensive ever Swedish player in making the move to Villa Park.

When joining Villa, the defender said: 'As soon as I knew of Villa's interest earlier in the year I knew it was where I wanted to come. I've been waiting for it to happen for some time and it's a big challenge for me, but I am relishing it and I am joining a big club in a big league.'

He made his debut in a goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur and, bar a couple of small injuries, was a rock at the heart of the Villa defence.

Mellberg travelled to the 2002 World Cup with Sweden and played in all four of his county's games - including a 1-1 draw with England - as they reached the second round.

The strong, powerful central defender remains a mainstay of the Villa side, and was a huge influence in the side which finished sixth in 2003/04. Only those higher in the table had a better defensive record. He passed 100 Villa appearances that term.

He was selected in Sweden's squad for Euro 2004, just days before he penned a new contract at Villa Park to tie him to the club until 2008.

Despite a previous training ground bust-up with Freddie Ljungberg the defender started all four oh his country's matches at World Cup 2006.

He returned to Villa in top form and despite handing over the captaincy to Gareth Barry he was an ever-present during Martin O'Neill's first season as manager in 2006/07.