22 November 2023 , 09:32
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Erling Haaland has forked out £13,000 on train tickets for 200 fans of his former Norwegian club Bryne ahead of their play-off clash on Saturday.
The Manchester City superstar played for boyhood club Byrne at youth level, joining at just five years of age before making his first outing at senior level for them in 2015. Haaland spent two years there as a professional before making the move to Molde in 2017, but clearly still harbours plenty of affection for his first team.
Byrne will make the trip to Kristiansand for their showdown against Start, which marks the club's first play-off contest since 2006. Not even Haaland could have predicted that his former side would snag the last play-off place in the OBOS league but has decided to play his part in the pre-match festivities as a result.
Train tickets to Kristiansand cost 698 Norwegian Krone, which comes in at around £52. Given Haaland has paid for 200 supporters, he has actually parted ways with around £13,100 (or 175,000 Norwegian Krone). He even insisted he'll also pay for the bus tickets of any fans who don't wish to travel via train.
Byrne's press spokesman Ole Morten Hobberstad praised the actions of City's leading marksman, claiming: "It's nice that Erling wants to sponsor a trip for the Bryne supporters, it's something the whole of Bryne really appreciates.
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"It also contributes to the fact that several people who perhaps did not prioritize it in the first place due to price growth and interest rate increases are now travelling to support Bryne in the promotion qualification."
Haaland will be able to give his full attention to the game on Saturday evening, but not before he features for the reigning Premier League champions against Liverpool for the midday kick-off. Pep Guardiola's side welcome the Reds to the Etihad as first meets second.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Is Haaland Norway's best-ever player? Comment below
Erling Haaland sustained an ankle injury while playing for Norway but is expected to feature against Liverpool (Getty Images)There were fears that Haaland would be injured and ruled out of the tie after he sustained damage to his ankle during Norway's 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands last Thursday. He addressed the fitness concerns on Instagram before Sunday's 3-3 draw against Scotland, in which he confirmed his absence for that tie.
The 23-year-old wrote: "Unfortunately, I am missing tomorrow’s game against Scotland. Wishing the boys all the best. Now treatment and trying to get back asap." For all of the initial fears from City fans, it looks as if their star striker will be okay to face off against Liverpool.
City will be out to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, which as things stand is just one point. It is Jurgen Klopp's men breathing down their necks in second on 27 points, level with Arsenal in third who have an inferior amount of goals scored.