Mellberg staying at Villa
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Article summary
Aston Villa FC captain Olof Mellberg has signed a new four-year deal to keep him at the club until June 2008.
Article body
Key player
The Swedish international defender joined Villa in July 2001 in a €7.85m switch from Real Racing Club Santander and was an ever-present last season. Despite missing five games this season with injury, he has now made 118 appearances for the team currently lying fifth in the Premiership and chasing a UEFA Cup spot.
'Very happy'
The 26-year-old Mellberg, who has also played for Swedish teams AIK Solna and Degerfors IF, told the Villa website: "I'm very pleased to have signed this deal. I'm very happy with everyone at the club and the fans have been great to me. Now I know I have a long-term future at Villa, I can go away with Sweden assured that my future is here."
Portugal-bound
Mellberg, who has made 42 international appearances, will travel to Portugal this summer for the UEFA European Championship after he was named in the provisional Sweden squad last week, alongside Villa team-mate Marcus Allbäck.
