CNN
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Erling Haaland has signed a huge 10-year contract with Manchester City to keep him at the club until 2034.
The Norwegian striker, whose previous contract was due to last until 2027, has scored at a phenomenal rate since joining City two-and-a-half years ago, amassing 111 goals in 126 appearances.
The new contract sees him dedicate the majority of his career to the club, with the contract expiring on his 34th birthday.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with incredible supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring out the best in everyone,” Haaland said in a club statement, adding: “I want continue to develop, continue to work to improve and seek to do my best to try and help us achieve more success in the future.
The exact terms of the new deal have not been disclosed, but it is considered “one of the most lucrative sports contracts ever signed,” according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 having already established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers.
It didn’t take him long to adapt to life in the Premier League, scoring a record 36 goals in his first season to win the Golden Boot.
After scoring 52 times in all competitions in his first season at the club, he followed that up with 38 goals in 45 appearances in his second year as City won a fourth consecutive league title.
Haaland’s extraordinary standards have only fallen slightly this year – he has 21 goals in 28 matches so far – with Pep Guardiola’s side enduring a rare spell of poor form. After dominating the league for so long, City fell to sixth place in the table after a run of four consecutive defeats in November and December.
Amid the string of disappointing results, the news of Haaland’s long-term contract extension will come as a welcome respite for City fans.
“He is one of the best strikers in world football, but Erling is still very young and will only continue to improve under Pep and his coaching staff,” said Txiki Begiristain, director of football from City. “If he works hard, which I know he will, he will create an incredible legacy at this football club.
“Now he can focus on his game and continue to play an important role in helping us achieve even more success.”
As well as his two Premier League titles, Haaland also won the Champions League and FA Cup with City as part of the club’s historic 2022-23 season.
The team return to action on Sunday against struggling Ipswich Town, currently 18th in the Premier League table.
