Villa snap up cut-price Allback

Aston Villa today completed the signing of striker Marcus Allback from Dutch side Heerenveen.

The 28-year-old signed a three-year contract on a flying visit to Birmingham before jetting out to Japan to join up with Sweden’s World Cup squad.

Allback, who was also a target for Villa’s Premiership rivals Sunderland, will cost just over £2m (€3m) thanks to an unusual clause in his contract.

The knock-down price only applied for a one-month spell this summer, starting from May 15, and Villa boss Graham Taylor acted quickly to capture the Sweden international.

‘‘I have been watching him for a long time and have got the added bonus that Stuart Gray (Villa first team coach) tried to sign him when he was manager at Southampton but was quoted £4m (€6m), but when I found out about the clause I acted as soon as possible,’’ the former England boss said.

Allback was delighted to with the deal and told Swedish daily newspaper Expressen earlier today: ‘‘When I put pen to paper a dream will come true. I have listened to Olof Mellberg and he has told me that Aston Villa is the right club for me.

‘‘This spring has been marvellous. First I was a father to lovely Philippa, then I get the ticket to the World Cup and now I will be a professional in a Premier League club.’’