Player Profile: Olof Mellberg

Squad Number: 4 Position: Center back Nationality: Sweden D.O.B: 3 September 1977 Birthplace: Gullspång, Sweden Signed: Racing Santanda 1998 (£6.5mil)

 

Olof Mellberg signed for Aston Villa in the summer of 1998 for £6.5million from Racing Santander. Aston Villa had to fight of competition from Barcelona and Valencia for the big Swedes signature.

Mellberg has been a established player in the Villa setup since he signed and we even captain of the club up until when he resigned as captain after the 2006 World Cup, in which Gareth Barry become new club captain.

He is considered and has been for a number of years as Aston Villa's first choice defender and repayed the faith shown in him scoring the first ever goal at Arsenal's Emirate's Stadium.

Before Aston Villa

Olof Mellberg played for his local side Gullspång, before being offered a contract in 1996for Degerfors IF in the Swedish Premier league.

After being relegated he soon moved on to Swedish giants AIK, but only stayed there for 10 months when he was sold to Spanish side Racing Santander.

International

Olof Mellberg has been a established Sweden international for so long and featured in the 2002 and 2006 World cups, aswell as Euro 2000, and 2004.

In 2003, he was voted the best Sweden player of the year, and he has so far won 77 caps for his country.

Player Chant(s)

"Mellberg, Theres only one Mellberg,
Theres only one Mellberg.."