Not content material with inspiring Norwegians by way of his success as a footballer, Erling Haaland needs to take action by way of historical past – by instructing them in regards to the Vikings.
The Manchester Metropolis striker, who’s his nation’s all-time prime scorer with 55 targets in 48 video games, has donated a uncommon Sixteenth-century manuscript of Viking sagas to the a part of Norway the place he grew up.
Haaland was born in Leeds – as his father Alf-Inge was enjoying for Leeds United on the time – however grew up within the city of Bryne.
The 25-year-old and his father bought the manuscript for 1.3 million Norwegian crowns (£100,000) in December – a file for a ebook sale in Norway.
It’s the 1594 printed version of a piece by the Thirteenth-century historian Snorri Sturluson, and tells medieval tales of Viking kings, queens, farmers and warriors.
Haaland has given the one surviving copy to the library in Bryne so it may be displayed and made accessible to the general public.
Bryne is in western Norway, round 30km south of Stavanger, and is a part of the muncipality of Time, inside the district of Jæren.
“I need the ebook at all times to lie open so that folks can examine those that got here from the place I come from, from Bryne and Jæren,” Haaland mentioned to Norwegian media.
“I have been fortunate sufficient to dwell out my dream by way of soccer, and I do know not everybody will get that probability.
“Books give so many extra folks the prospect to dream large, see new prospects and discover their very own path.”
Haaland is the highest scorer within the Premier League this season with 22 targets in 29 appearances.
Final 12 months he completed as the highest scorer with 16 targets within the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Norway have certified for his or her first finals since 1998.
