Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg paid more than £50,000 to ensure 3,200 fans who travelled to West Ham got specially printed shirts to mark him leaving Villa.
The Swedish international, who played his last game for Villa yesterday before joining Juventus on a free transfer this summer, had 3,200 home and away shirts printed with the message ‘Mellberg – Thanks 4 The Support’ on the back.
Villa fans were handed a free shirt on arrival at Upton Park before the 2-2 draw to end Mellberg’s stay at Villa. Many away fans were already decked out in Sweden colours, or dressed as Vikings in tribute to the long-serving defender, who spent seven seasons at the club.
He said: “This is just the perfect way to say goodbye to the fans and to thank them for all their support in my time at Villa.
“I have loved my time at the club and have had a great relationship with the fans.”
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15 Comments
the man is total class, what a gesture!! he will be sorely missed. players with character like his come along very rarely, villa have been lucky to have 2 players like that in recent years in olof and ian taylor, these guys are a credit to the game.
i am wolves fan but must say how nice to see a player give a little back to the fans well done olaf
true legend
thanks for the shirt i dont even wear colours to games but ill wear it with pride at the pub next weekend
you will be missed
HOLTE ENDER IN THE SKY
FANTASTIC GESTURE, I DONT BELIEVE THE £££ FIGURE QUOTED BUT THATS NOT THE IMPORTANT PART, NICE TO SEE A PLAYER SHOWING THAT LEVEL OF RESPECT.
I AM SURE HE WILL BE MISSED, GOOD LUCK TO HIM, WILL BE LOOKING OUT FOR HIM THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEXT SEASON.
Mr Mellberg has been a top performer for Aston Villa. Even when he had to mark Ridgewell and Sorenson, as well as the opposing centre forward he just gave it his all and got on with it. He can’t have enjoyed playing right back, even so he gave a few sparkling performances and was never less than professional. A few more like him and we’ll be OK for years to come.
Fair Play to the lad, great Gesture
I’m not a Villa fan but you don’t have to be to appreciate this gesture. 110% star quality!!
im a wolves fan, i have always rated mellberg he has always been in my teams on fifa and lma, great pro and nice to see a player give something back to the fans well done olof
What a legend. I’m a Wolves fan but that is an absolutely quality gesture. Says something about the man.
Nice touch!
Classy, very classy. Nothing more to be said. WTG Mellberg
Well,,what a man I’m not suprised my Olof’s generosity as this is the type of guy he is, I’ve been at Villa park many a time to see him signing endless autographs when other players have been visibly bored of doing it and just walk away after doing a few but Olof just carries on regardless. Thanks for all your efforts big man, may you do what you strive for with Juventus.
Villa fans you are truley honored to have such a good footballer and obviously a true gent play for you.
As a life long wolves fan the last sign of unforced, uncommercialised decency like this from a pro-footballer as i can remember was steve bull.
Good on you olof
and best of luck for the future.
think i’d have prefered the £15.
only joking, seems like a nice guy.
Brilliant, purely brilliant.
He may have signed for another team, but what other way to leave your team.
A gentlemen of the game.