Olof Mellberg was born in Amnehärad, Sweden, on September 3rd 1977. He plays as a defender and can boast a long international career, with long spells in the Spanish and English Leagues.

He left his country at just 21 years of age, moving from AIK to Spanish side Racing Santander, where he stayed for three seasons. In 2001 he joined one of the English Premiere League's most prestigious Clubs, Aston Villa. His résumé includes a long stint in the Swedish national team too, begun as early as the year 2000.

With the side - that he's also captained on several occasions – he took part in all the recent big international events: the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and the 2000, 2004 and 2008 European Championships. At the recent Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, he took part in all three games Sweden played.