Erling Haaland Outlines Key Duo's Role In Persuading Him To Join Manchester City

Upon the completion of his long-awaited move to Manchester City, Erling Haaland has discussed how his father Alf-Inge and Riyad Mahrez helped persuade him in moving to the Etihad Stadium in his first interview with the club's in-house media team.

The Norwegian has signed a five-year deal with the Premier League champions that will keep him at the club his father captained and represented for three seasons until at least 2027.

After placing himself amongst the best forwards in world football during his two-and-a-half-year stint at Borussia Dortmund, the 21-year-old was officially been unveiled as a Manchester City player by the club on Monday morning.

Having played against his new side for Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final two seasons ago, the young forward has revealed his love for the Etihad Stadium and how highly he rates fellow Manchester City fan Phil Foden.

The Leeds-born star spent a brief part of his holiday last summer with Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, whom Haaland revealed played a key role in attracting him to the blue side of Manchester.

"Yes, he (Mahrez) told me to come to City, so he was right about that. He talks, he said some good things about the club," Haaland said.

Alf-Inge Haaland is understood to have led talks over his son's next move from Borussia Dortmund as a list of elite sides across Europe were keen on acquiring his son's services.

On his father's role in making the switch to the club he supported as a child, Erling Haaland said: "He (Alf-Inge) lived in England, he played for the club.

"Of course, a lot of things have changed in the last 20 years but he lived here, so he knows what it is.

"We have just been speaking about basically how it is, what is the best for me, what is this, what is that, and to try find out everything. He has been a good dad in that thing there.

"I have been to a lot of games (at Maine Road), I don't remember, but I have been to a lot of games with my mum, sister, and brother watching my father."