Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Erling Haaland said on Monday that he wanted to “win trophies” with Manchester City, who formalized the arrival of the Norwegian striker with the ambition of finally winning the Champions League.
” I want to score goals, win trophies, progress and I’m sure I can do it here. It’s a big change for me and I can’t wait to start the pre-season. “, rejoiced the former scorer of Borussia Dortmund (21 years old), in a press release from his new club.
Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund announced in May that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of the Norwegian international, considered one of the best players of his generation, who signed up for five years until 2027 against, according to several media, 60 million euros.
This sum does not include the very large bonuses paid by the Mancunian club to his father, former defender Alf-Hinge Haaland, as well as to the company of his agent Mino Raiola, who died on April 30.
Haaland was courted by several big clubs but it was with the English champions, where his father played from 2000 to 2003, that the young terror of the penalty areas chose to evolve.
” It’s a little bit for my father, I was born in England and I’ve always been a City fan. I know the club a lot. Ultimately, there are two things [qui l’ont convaincu de s’engager avec les Citizens, Ndlr] : I feel at home here and I think I can improve and get the best out of myself at City “, explained Erling Haaland in a video interview broadcast by the club.
“Pep, one of the greatest”
” I’ve always watched City and loved doing it in recent seasons. You can only admire their style of play, it’s exciting and they create a lot of (scoring) chances, which is perfect for a player like me “, he added in the press release of the club, underlining the quality of the Spanish coach of the Citizens, Pep Guardiola.
” There are so many world class players in this team and Pep is one of the greatest managers of all time so I believe I am in the right place to fulfill my ambitions “, he added.
Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain, for his part, praised “ the remarkable rise of the striker, trained in Bryne, in Norway, passed to Molde, before revealing himself in Austria within Red Bull Salzburg from January 2019.
” He’s a great talent and he’s been one of the best strikers in Europe in recent seasons. His goal tally is exceptional and his performances at Borussia Dortmund and in the Champions League in particular have proven he can succeed at the highest level. “said Begiristain.
Haaland had scored 86 goals in 89 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since arriving in Germany in January 2020.