The 28-year-old signed a three-year contract before linking up with his Swedish team-mates in Japan.

Allback, who was also coveted by Sunderland, will cost just over £2m thanks to an unusual clause in his contract.

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

The former England manager admitted that first team coach Stuart Gray helped make his mind up.

Gray, formerly Southampton manager, tried to sign the Swede when he was with the Saints but baulked at the asking price of £4m.

Allback admitted that an international colleague convinced him it was the right move.

"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," he told Swedish daily newspaper Expressen.

"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."

Allback is expected to play up front with Celtic's Henrik Larsson for Sweden in the World Cup.

He will have a chance to make a good impression on English football fans when Sweden meet England in the opening group stage on 2 June.