MELLBERG COMPLETES VILLA SWITCH

The 23-year-old Swede successfully passed a medical on Wednesday, and quickly agreed personal terms prior to signing a five-year deal.

Villa beat off competition from Italian giants Milan and Internazionale, and chairman Doug Ellis was overjoyed to have completed the deal.

"We're delighted to secure one of the best young centre halves in the world, especially as we've beaten some of the top clubs in Europe to his signature," Ellis enthused.

Mellberg appeared pleased to have completed a protracted move, saying: "I'm extremely happy because I've been waiting for this move to happen for some time.

"As soon as I knew Villa were interested earlier in the year, I knew it was where I wanted to come.

"I've joined a big club in a big league and when I spoke to the manager his thoughts matched my own and that was very important for me. He is very ambitious."

The Swedish international is viewed as a ready-made replacement for Middlesbrough`s Gareth Southgate, and joins other summer signings Peter Schmeichel, Moustapha Hadji and Hassan Kachloul at Villa Park.