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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Player meetings and dad's gift - four things spotted from Erling Haaland's Man City transfer unveiling

Manchester City officially announced the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund on Monday, a little over a month after they had confirmed that they had reached an agreement to sign the striker.

The Norway international, who plundered a staggering 86 goals in just 89 appearances for the German outfit, has joined City on a deal until the summer of 2027. He is understood to have joined the club for an initial fee of £51million.

His arrival at the Etihad Stadium has been greeted with a wave of excitement from City's supporters, with the striker considered as one of the most gifted youngsters in the world. He has enormous potential and is continuing to go from strength-to-strength at a rapid rate of knots.

READ MORE: Erling Haaland explains why he chose Man City in first words after transfer

Although he is only 21, Haaland will be under pressure to produce the goods for City and replicate the form he so often displayed at Dortmund. He will be tasked with spearheading the Blues' attack and filling the void that was vacated by Sergio Aguero a little over a year ago.

Despite City only unveiling the Leeds-born striker on Monday, Haaland had finalised his move to the club in May, signing his contract and helping the club produce the content for his big arrival on May 25. The club has issued a feature-length video to show what the Norwegian got up to during the process of joining the club from attending a medical in Barcelona to his first City interview.

MEN Sport has picked out four things of interest that we spotted:

Laporte and Dias pay Haaland a visit

Visiting Dr. Cugat's clinic in Barcelona for the first part of his City medical on May 24, Haaland was joined by new team-mates Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte. The duo both hugged the striker and had a quick chat with him, with all three of them appearing to be in great spirits.

While in the waiting room, Haaland was also shown a video of Kyle Walker celebrating Ilkay Gundogan's second goal in City's 3-2 final day win over Aston Villa, with the full-back running down the touchline and celebrating in front of the City fans at the other end of the ground to which the goal had been scored. Haaland did not say anything but sat in his chair smiling.

Haaland impressed with his new surroundings

After conducting the first part of his medical in Spain, Haaland arrived in England and completed the second and final part of it on May 25. He then travelled to City's training ground for the very first time and was immediately impressed before he had even jumped out his chauffeur-driven people carrier.

Passing through the gates, Haaland said: "This is my first time [at the training ground]. It's good. It looks good."

Erling Haaland arrives at Manchester City's training ground for the very first time. (Manchester City Football Club.)

Fernandinho leads by example

After being introduced to several members of City staff, including the catering team, Haaland met outgoing midfielder Fernandinho and his son. The outgoing captain welcomed the striker to his new surroundings and immediately made it his mission to make the striker feel at home.

"Welcome, my friend, how are you?," said Fernandinho, as Haaland entered the room. "It's nice to see you."

Haaland also shook hands with Fernandinho's son, who later posed for a photograph with City's latest recruit. Haaland later bumped into Fernandinho again in the dressing room, before being whisked away to conduct the official photoshoot of him sporting a City shirt for the first time.

As well as promising to go to Brazil to watch Fernandinho in the future, Haaland, as he was leaving the room, said to a member of City staff: "Brazilians are always nice."

Haaland's class act

After completing his photoshoot and first interview as a City player, Haaland sat down to present a gift to his father, Alf-Inge, who also played for the Blues. He handed him a 2022/23 replica City home shirt with 'Son' written on the back.

Erling Haaland (left) presents a shirt to his father, Alf-Inge. (Manchester City Football Club.)

It came as a result of Haaland snr handing his son a City shirt with 'Dad' on the back during his time as a City player. But while Alf-Inge appreciated the gift, he could not help but issue a tongue-in-cheek joke, referencing Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min.

Alf-Ingle, looking at the back of the shirt, said: "But he doesn't play for City." They both laughed before City's newest addition replied: "Son Heung-min doesn't play for City. You gave me a 'Dad' jersey so I am giving you a 'Son' one back."

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