Erling Haaland has officially committed his future to Manchester City by signing a contract that extends to 2034. This long-term agreement secures one of the most financially rewarding deals in football, despite the current challenges the club faces both on and off the pitch.
The announcement was made by City on Friday, confirming that the 24-year-old striker, who has netted 111 goals in 125 appearances since moving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, is now set for many more seasons with the team. Haaland has quickly risen to be recognized as one of the premier strikers in the sport.
Notably, this contract represents the most extended deal in the Premier League, with Haaland reportedly receiving around £500,000 ($600,000) weekly. When asked about his reaction to the remarkably lengthy contract duration, City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his surprise.
Haaland will be 34 years old when the deal comes to an end. Reports indicate that this new agreement also eliminates any release clauses that were present in his previous contract, which was supposed to conclude in June 2027.
In a statement released by the club, Haaland expressed his desire to continue improving and contributing to the team’s future successes. “Now I want to keep developing, keep working to get better and look to do my best to try and help us achieve more success going forward,” he stated.
This new contract for Haaland comes at a time when Manchester City awaits the outcome of investigations into 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, facing potential repercussions such as a points deduction or even relegation.
Accompanying the promotional materials for Haaland’s deal, he notably declared, “Now I am City no matter what,” which underscores his commitment to the club. In a lighthearted moment captured on video, Haaland was seen calling City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak to confirm, “It’s all signed now.” Al Mubarak’s pleased response was, “OK, now I am comfortable.”
Txiki Begiristain, the club’s departing director of football, highlighted the importance of this signing, stating, “The fact he is signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player, and his love of this club.”
Looking ahead, this development sets the stage for a busy period for City, who are expected to pursue several new signings after experiencing their most challenging season since Guardiola took over in 2016. Currently, the team sits sixth in the Premier League, facing difficulties from player injuries and inconsistent performances. Additionally, they’re unsure of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League, with a critical match against Paris Saint-Germain coming up.
City has been linked to potential transfers that include striker Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt and young defenders Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens and Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, with reports suggesting these additions could total over $150 million.
“I am really confident that we will turn things around,” Haaland remarked about the team’s situation. He acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the importance of maintaining a hunger for success. “Things have been difficult as we are so used to winning games, but also it is a challenge for us. To get this feeling of hunger inside every single one of us to not look at things easier. Don’t take things for granted; that is an important thing. I will do everything I can to change things around.”
In his first season with City, Haaland netted an impressive 52 goals, including a record-setting 36 in the Premier League, contributing to the team’s victories in the league, FA Cup, and Champions League, thus claiming a prestigious Treble. Last season, he added 38 goals in 45 matches, and he has already scored 21 times this season as he aims for a third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot.
Reflecting on Haaland’s exceptional talent, Guardiola mentioned, “Of course he is a special player. To find a player like Erling, it’s so difficult to find a striker at that level. Once you have it, you need to make the effort to keep him.”
Recently, Haaland shared that he will soon become a father, stating that his time with City has felt like a dream. He expressed excitement about the future, saying, “I am really looking forward to what is next.”
