Erling Haaland has expressed his happiness after signing a staggering new nine-and-a-half-year deal to stay at Man City until 2034.
Haaland, 24, penned the blockbuster contract extension on Friday morning, which removes all previous release clauses in the star’s deal.
Haaland’s new deal is reportedly one of the most lucrative sporting contracts of all time.
The Norwegian forward would be 34-years-old when his new contract expires and it comes after his existing deal had been due to expire in the summer of 2027.
And, speaking after the news was made public, Haaland said: ‘I am super happy. I am proud. It is difficult to put into words because it is a big moment.
‘I am happy and that is the right words to use. I am super proud and happy and I am looking forward to staying here for a long time.
Erling Haaland has expressed his happiness after signing a staggering new Man City deal
‘In the end, speaking with the people I spoke with, the hunger and the support that I have been getting for the last couple of years from the board, from the bosses and from Pep, it was an easy decision. I am delighted.’
Haaland has scored 111 goals in 126 appearances for Man City in all competitions since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
The 24-year-old earned a basic salary of £375,000 each week in his existing contract.
Mail Sport understands that while Haaland receives a basic salary which is in line with the other higher earners at the Etihad Stadium, a series of substantial, almost-guaranteed bonuses have seen his weekly wage surge beyond the £850,000 mark.
The Norwegian was part of crucial part of City’s Treble-winning season in 2022-23, while he added the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield last season, with the striker absent through injury for City’s Club World Cup success in December 2023.
And, reflecting on his two-and-a-half years at City so far, Haaland added: ‘It has gone really quick. It feels like I signed a moment ago. It has been going really quick and that is a good thing.
‘It means I am enjoying it. For two and a half years as a City player I have been winning loads of trophies, playing loads of good football, having so many great moments together with the whole club and with the fans.
‘I still remember the rainy parade [after the Treble] which was maybe the biggest and best moment because it was a typical Manchester parade.
‘It has been amazing and been like a dream in this two and a half years. As I said, I am really looking forward to what is next and the future.’
Haaland has claimed the Premier League Golden Boot in consecutive seasons and was named as the top flight’s Player of the Season for the 2022-23 campaign, although he is currently languishing two goals behind Mohamed Salah this time around in the scoring charts.
News of the extension will also provide a major boost to City amid a difficult season for the reigning Premier League champions, who are currently sixth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Although Haaland has struggled for form in recent months after a blistering start to the campaign, he has still netted 16 times in 21 top flight appearances.
Haaland has previously been linked to reigning European champions Real Madrid, with repeated reports in Spain that release clauses had offered hope a deal could be agreed at some point in the future.
In fact, Mail Sport understand that his career plan had involved moving to La Liga – with Real long-term admirers – and Haaland is understood to have reiterated that idea to friends over the last two years.
But a new contract covering 10 seasons, potentially taking him to the age of 34, is a significant change in direction and sign of intent, and the 24-year-old went onto express his desire to create a legacy with City.
Haaland has recently purchased a new property in Cheshire after becoming a father for the first time.
‘Yes, I am going to stay for a long time,’ said Haaland, who has recently purchased a new property in Cheshire after becoming a father for the first time with girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen.
‘Now I can fully focus on getting better because I am going to stay here for such a long time. Full focus on performing and getting better to give all of the fans what they want.
‘(City) is a really welcoming club where you get really taken care of. I think that is also really important when you speak with people. You really feel at home here and that is the first amazing thing.’
Haaland’s deal will commit the forward beyond Guardiola’s time at the club, with the Spaniard signing a two-year contract extension in November.
Six-time Premier League winner Guardiola had initially been expected to step down at the end of this season, before committing to the club until 2027.
Guardiola’s Man City reign would tick over a decade as a result of his contract extension and Haaland paid tribute to the Spaniard.
‘When I spoke to Pep, the best manager in the world, it is also a great thing to speak with him and to train and play under him every single day.
‘To get his input on me and how I can become a better footballer and to develop even more. He is the best.
‘ Of course, you are here to win trophies, here to perform, here to be at your best and to deliver at your best. That is what you have to do here because you come here, people expect you to win trophies and that is why you are here.’
Haaland continued: ‘I have improved a lot (under him). It is so nice to work with him. Not only because he is the best, but he is also the most hard-working person I have ever seen.
‘People think it is only because this or that, but the amount of hours he puts down is also motivating and inspiring to see.
‘It is funny to work with him, it is hard and it is tough because he demands a lot, but that is what I want. I want people to demand a lot from me and to put pressure on me. So far, so good.’
