Beyond his remarkable achievements on the football pitch, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is making significant contributions to cultural preservation in his native Norway. The prolific forward, who holds the record as Norway’s all-time top scorer with 55 goals in 48 international appearances, has acquired and donated a priceless 16th-century Viking manuscript to the community where he spent his formative years.
Haaland, together with his father Alf-Inge, secured the historic artifact for 1.3 million Norwegian crowns (approximately £100,000) in December—setting a national record for book sales in Norway. The manuscript represents the 1594 printed edition of works by renowned 13th-century historian Snorri Sturluson, containing medieval narratives about Viking monarchs, warriors, farmers, and queens.
The 25-year-old athlete, born in Leeds during his father’s tenure with Leeds United but raised in the western Norwegian town of Bryne, has gifted this unique surviving copy to the local library. This strategic placement ensures public accessibility and display within the Jæren district municipality of Time, approximately 30 kilometers south of Stavanger.
Haaland articulated his motivation to Norwegian media outlets: “I intend for this book to remain permanently accessible so people can learn about the historical figures originating from my hometown of Bryne and the Jæren region. Football enabled me to pursue my aspirations, but literature offers boundless opportunities for others to envision grand possibilities and discover their unique trajectories.”
The Manchester City star continues to demonstrate exceptional performance in professional football, currently leading the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals in 29 matches this season. His athletic excellence recently propelled Norway to their first World Cup finals qualification since 1998, with Haaland finishing as top scorer in European qualifiers with 16 goals.