Erling Haaland invites former kitman to watch ‘favourite team’ Leeds face Man City
Erling Haaland will have his former kitman from Norway in the audience at the Etihad this weekend after surprising him with a trip to see his ‘favourite team’ Leeds take on Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing Man City
- Erling Haaland started his career in his homeland Norway with Bryne FK
- He has kept in touch with the club’s kitman since he left the club in 2017
- Haaland has now surprised the kitman with a ticket to watch Man City play against Leeds
Erling Haaland will have a piece of home in Manchester City’s game against Leeds United after surprising Bryne’s kitman with a trip to the Etihad Stadium.
Kurth Gausland, a Leeds supporter, turned 60 in March and at his birthday party a message flashed from Haaland inviting him to Saturday’s game.
Haaland spent his formative years with Bryne and forged a close bond with Gausland when he broke into the first team as a teenager.
The City striker went to Molde, Borussia Dortmund and now the Premier League, but the two kept in touch.
Gausland will be joined by youth coach Espen Undheim, who played a part in the development of Haaland in Norway, and two long-time volunteers at the club.
Erling Haaland has invited his former kitman to watch Manchester City’s game against Leeds
Kurth Gausland is a Leeds fan and will see Sam Allardyce take the lead for the first time
“Erling sent Kurth a video congratulating him from his apartment in Manchester,” Undheim said Mail sports. “He said, ‘Okay, now you’re 60, I wanted to invite you to see your favorite team’.
“Leeds are struggling a bit and Erling said, ‘I invite you to see your beautiful Leeds, but I can’t say I won’t score!’ It was quite surprising to him.’
Haaland’s father, Alfie, still lives in Bryne with his wife and their two daughters – both of whom excel in the local side.
The 22-year-old’s goalscoring – breaking records with apparent ease during his first season – did not shock those who knew him, as they enjoyed the chance to reconnect after the game.
As a group they often play matches from all four of England’s top divisions, while Bryne’s marketing manager, Bjorn Hagerup Roken – a City fan – was present at Arsenal’s thrashing last week.
Smoking made the journey with more than 60 others from southwestern Norway as part of a Haaland Academy initiative, which is made up of Bryne’s sponsors and partners, made up of local businesses.
“Erling still has his family here,” Undehim added. “When he comes home, he can use Bryne’s stadium for his own personal training.
“He hasn’t forgotten he grew up in Bryne.”