Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has announced defender Olof Mellberg will join Juventus on a Bosman at the end of this season.

He said: "Olof has made a big contribution at Villa and is a true professional, and that has been emphasised by the way he has performed this season at right-back.

"I moved him from centre-half, where he would prefer to play, and he has never once complained to me about having to play virtually every week to right-back.

"He was the only one of our defenders able to do that and I have greatly appreciated his efforts.

"There has been a lot of talk about his future but he has been having a really good season.

"Last season, when we were topsy turvy, I thought he had plenty of consistency as well but that is the sort of player he is."

O'Neill added: "But if someone like Juventus shows an interest, and within six months of your contract running out, I think you have to explore every avenue.

"He told me a while back that he wanted to have a look and see what was going to develop and I wish him all the best for the future.

"This is a very important time of his career. He has been here seven years and when you get clubs the size of Juventus making enquiries about you, then you have to weigh things up and he has decided what he wants to do."

O'Neill is in the market for a specialist right-back but has already stressed he would have no qualms about Mellberg continuing to play for the remainder of the season.

He has a great rapport with the Villa fans who gave him a standing ovation before and after Saturday's game with Blackburn when there was the possibility he might move to Juventus this month.

Mellberg said: "I am very happy with the agreement. It will be an important experience, at a prestigious club and in one of the most important leagues in the world.

"But now I want to try to finish on a high with Aston Villa and help them qualify for Europe. The club are making big strides and that would be a good way to finish."