Revealed: Haaland’s mega Man City deal makes him the highest-paid footballer.

Erling Haaland's massive nine-and-a-half-year contract is the most lucrative given to a player in the history of football, even if it doesn't pay him a million pounds a week, Mail Sport understands.

In 2022, we revealed that the Norwegian goalscoring machine was paid a total wages and bonus package amounting to almost £865,000 every seven days following his £51million move from Borussia Dortmund.

Under the terms of that deal, the prolific 24-year-old was paid a base salary in line with elite earners in Europe.

However, a series of virtually guaranteed perks, loyalty bonuses and image rights payments put him in a position where he was by far the highest rated player in the country.

It is understood the new contract, which does not contain a release clause, is built on similar principles and includes a pay rise – although it does not take him above the £1m mark.

One of the key factors in this amazing deal is the fact that it is locked in for ten years. It means that, should Haaland remain at the Etihad, he will continue to achieve big numbers when he is between the ages of 29 and 34 and possibly approaching the twilight of his career.

This publication also revealed that City beat off competition from Europe's big players when Haaland agreed to move to Manchester. The compensation was relatively low thanks to a termination clause in his contract.

Since his arrival, Haaland has scored an impressive 111 goals in 126 games.

“I am very pleased to have signed my new contract and look forward to spending even more time at this great club,” he said.

'Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with great supporters and it's the kind of environment that helps get the best out of everyone.

'I would also like to thank Pep (Guardiola), his coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at the club as they have all helped me so much over the years.'

Txiki Begiristain, City's director of football, added: “The fact that he has been signed for so long shows our commitment to him as a player and his love for the club.”