Manchester, England – In a groundbreaking move for Manchester City and the football world at large, Erling Haaland has signed a 9.5-year contract extension, pledging his allegiance to the Premier League champions until the summer of 2034.
This deal marks one of the most significant and financially substantial contracts in the history of sports, underlining both the player’s confidence in the club and Manchester City’s commitment to him despite ongoing off-field uncertainties.
Haaland, who joined Manchester City in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund, has been a revelation, scoring 111 goals in just 126 appearances across all competitions.
His first season saw him clinch the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, achieving the coveted Treble.
His goal-scoring prowess has continued undeterred into the current season, with Haaland netting 21 goals in 28 appearances so far.
The new contract does away with any previous exit clauses, a move that has been interpreted as a strong vote of confidence in Manchester City’s future, despite the club currently facing 115 charges related to alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
These charges have cast a shadow over the club, with potential outcomes ranging from fines to severe sanctions like relegation, yet this contract extension suggests both Haaland and the club’s hierarchy are looking beyond these challenges.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, expressed his surprise at the duration of the contract, revealing he had to ask for clarification on its length from the club’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain.
Guardiola emphasized the trust and commitment between Haaland and the club, seeing this deal as a testament to the Norwegian striker’s love for Manchester City.
Haaland himself shared his contentment with his life at the club, stating, “Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.”
His commitment to further development and success with the team was clear in his statement, “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.”
The financial details of the contract remain undisclosed, but it’s widely reported to be among the most lucrative deals in football, potentially placing Haaland’s annual earnings in the tens of millions, highlighting the significant investment Manchester City is making in securing their star striker’s future.
This extension has not only secured Haaland’s future but has also set a new precedent in the Premier League for contract lengths, previously seen with clubs like Chelsea but now taken to a new level.
The agreement also positions Haaland to potentially challenge or even break Premier League scoring records, given his current pace and the longevity of his new contract.
