TA: Erling Haaland has committed the vast majority of his career to Manchester City, signing an extraordinary new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2034.
Erling Haaland has committed the vast majority of his career to Manchester City, signing an extraordinary new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2034.
Haaland's previous terms were due to expire in June 2027, but he has now put pen to paper on an improved nine-and-a-half-year deal.
By the time the transfer window closes, the Norway international will be 34 years old and all release clauses in his latest contract have been removed.
Although the exact figures are currently unclear, this is believed to be one of the most lucrative sporting contracts ever and underlines the bond between Haaland and City.
Despite speculation linking the 24-year-old with a move to Real Madrid, Haaland is known to be extremely happy in Manchester and representing the Premier League champions.
Following a €60 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, the prolific forward has scored an impressive 111 goals in 126 games and won two English top-flight titles, an FA Cup, the Champions League and a Super Cup.
Haaland has had a hugely successful time in Manchester (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Haaland will almost certainly surpass manager Pep Guardiola's time at City after the decorated Catalan signed a two-year extension last November that will take him until 2027.
Guardiola, staff, teammates and the club hierarchy – up to and including chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak – are known to have an excellent relationship with Haaland. He has also recently grown older, settling in the area after a move and emulating his father Alfie by playing for City.
Retaining who they believe is the best frontman in the world – and for such a period of time – will delight City and their supporters, especially in a season where they have struggled on the pitch so far.
Off the pitch, meanwhile, they are still awaiting the outcome of a battle against the Premier League over alleged breaches of financial rules, which is expected to lead to a ruling this year.
It's already been a busy month at City; they are in the process of recruiting centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis from Lens and Palmeiras respectively, alongside Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush.
'The cornerstone of the city for the coming decade'
Analysis by Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee
This is, frankly, a remarkable development.
When Haaland signed for City in 2022, the expectation was that he would only play in the Premier League temporarily, fueled not only by the general assumption that he would like to play for Real Madrid, but also by comments from his own father about moving to the Premier League. top European competitions.
And yet not only has he signed a new contract at City, he's signed one that effectively makes him a cornerstone of the club for the next decade. his teammates, and possibly many of the executives as well.
No one knows how the next nine years will play out, but the plan right now is obvious: everything will be built around Haaland. It's his city now.
What does this mean for the Premier League goals record?
Analysis by Mark Carey
Where does that leave Erling Haaland in the race to become the Premier League's all-time top scorer? Well, the math is actually simple.
Haaland has scored 79 goals since arriving in England, while Alan Shearer's total of 260 goals was a far cry. While Haaland's figure of 0.96 league goals per 90 is otherworldly, Haaland could never match Shearer's record based solely on the longevity of his Premier League career – which spanned fourteen seasons.
This new contract changes the story completely.
Even a conservative estimate of an average of 20 goals over the next 10 seasons would see Haaland reach the target before his contract expires. A realistic estimate would have him blowing the record out of the water in no time, provided he gets lucky with injuries.
This isn't just big news for Erling Haaland or Manchester City fans. This news could have a ripple effect in the history of the Premier League.
(Top image: Dan Goldfarb/Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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