Haaland has signed a five-year contract and is believed to be the club’s highest-paid player alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
He is also poised to receive a significant bonus and a neat transfer fee once his £51m contract is fully signed.
But inevitably, the 21-year-old did not join City for the purpose of earning a healthy salary.
Stuart Brennan Manchester Evening News Over Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, I chose City for “emotional and football reasons” because I could get the same pay elsewhere.
But he has a real relationship with City. His father played for the club 35 times in the Premier League and he even attended matches wearing a Manchester City jersey.
you better @ErlingHaaland His veins are blue. This is his club. He was literally born the same month his father signed it. @Man City – From birth, a blue life was imprinted on him! He celebrated the City’s success and grew up loving the club. He is one of us. Take care… 🍻 pic.twitter.com/UuV8tTUw0G
— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) May 10, 2022
And there is a reason for football. Haaland could not miss his chance under Pep Guardiola and could see how his game develops under Catalan.
Two main factors chosen by Erling Haaland #man city:
– Lifetime relationship @Man City
– Work with Pep Guardiola and play alongside talents like KDB and Phil Foden to give you the best chance to win national/European trophies.[via @StuBrennanMEN]
— City Extra (@City_Xtra) May 10, 2022
Haaland is already a lethal finisher with 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund and 23 goals in 19 Champions League appearances.
But there is a feeling he can truly explode in City and climb into different gears. Haaland feels playing under Guardiola alongside De Bruyne and Phil Foden, giving him the best chance of winning group and individual awards.
Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, helped drive the transfer at a time when Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola, suffered a brief illness that ultimately cost him his life.
He will say goodbye to Dortmund supporters this Saturday as they host Hertha Berlin in the campaign’s final Bundesliga match.
Haaland will join Norway in the upcoming UEFA Nations League match and will meet new City teammates in July to prepare for the pre-season.
Holland’s favorite number 9 is currently occupied by Gabriel Jesus, but there is no word yet on a potential shirt number.
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