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Back home: Erling Haaland completes move to Man City

Back home: Erling Haaland completes move to Man City

London, The Norway striker finalized his move to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for 60 million euros ($63 million) on Monday to seal his return to England, the country of his birth.

His father, Alf-Inge, played for and briefly captained City in the Premier League from 2000-03 and Erling supported the team as a kid, often going to Maine Road — the club’s former home — with his mother to watch his father play. He has posted on social media pictures of himself wearing a City jersey as a young boy.

Haaland said his family connections were among the reasons why he is joining City despite interest from many other major clubs in Europe, reports AP.

Haaland, regarded as one of the world’s top young players along with Kylian Mbappe, is joining on a five-year deal.

City activated the release clause in Haaland’s Dortmund contract and looks to be getting a superstar on the cheap.

Former England striker Gary Lineker called the signing of Haaland a “seminal moment for the Premier League.”

Haaland has scored 20 goals in 21 appearances for Norway and netted 86 goals in 89 games in two and a half seasons with Dortmund.

Before that, he was at Molde in Norway and then Salzburg in Austria, where he initially grabbed the attention of Europe’s major clubs thanks to his performances in the Champions League.

It’s that competition which has proved elusive for City despite its heavy spending on players under its Abu Dhabi ownership since 2008.

Haaland’s arrival should improve City’s chances of becoming European champion — the ringtone of his cell phone is the Champions League anthem — and of retaining the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola’s team didn’t play an out-and-out striker last season but still successfully defended the league title and reached the Champions League semi finals.

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