Erling Haaland RETURNS to Nike as the Man City star eschews interest from adidas and Puma by signing a lucrative boot deal… with the US giant proposing he leave ‘his stamp on the future of the game’ as the face of the brand
- Erling Haaland has signed a new boot contract with Nike after his last one expired.
- Haaland had been seen wearing adidas and Puma, but opted to stick with Nike.
- The 22-year-old joins Man City teammate Kevin De Bruyne on the Nike roster.
Erling Haaland has rejoined Nike after his previous boot contract with the sportswear giant expired.
Manchester City’s goalscoring machine has proven popular with fans and neutrals alike for his ability to find the net, scoring 42 goals so far this season.
Haaland was on Nike’s books until January 2022 and has since been seen wearing adidas and Puma, with both companies keen to snap up the Norwegian.
But instead, the 22-year-old has re-signed with Nike, the company confirmed, ending a period of speculation. In a press release, the fashion giant said: “Norwegian Erling Haaland has signed with Nike, ushering in the next phase of Nike football.”
Haaland has been attached to the American brand since he was 14 years old, and his reaffirmation at the giant fashion house means he’s kept in good company.
Erling Haaland has re-signed a contract with Nike, a brand with which he has worked since he was 14 years old.
Nike’s previous lucrative boot deal with the Norwegian star striker expired in January 2022
Nike’s list of soccer stars includes international stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Rashford and Sam Kerr, along with Haaland’s Man City teammate Kevin De Bruyne.
Nike Football tweeted: ‘A new era of #9. @erlinghaaland is a force of nature. Are you ready?’
The American brand attributed Haaland’s phenomenal success to a “commitment to holistic fitness and mental health.”
Haaland became the youngest player to score 30 UEFA Champions League goals, at 22 years and 236 days, something Nike wanted to highlight when announcing the new deal.
Sportsmail previously reported that Haaland was close to signing with Nike for £20m a year.
Nike beat out competition for the 22-year-old’s signature from rival brands adidas and Puma
Haaland’s Man City teammate Kevin De Bruyne is also on Nike’s star-studded soccer roster.
Puma are Manchester City’s kit sponsors, which may have led them to believe they had an advantage in the search for the player, who appears keen to extend his time at the Etihad with a mammoth new contract.
Man City star Jack Grealish recently left Nike, whom he had been with since he was a teenager, in favor of a £10m per season deal with Puma.
Adidas is also believed to have made a big-money offer to the Norwegian, and adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden is a close family friend of Haaland’s, but it was not enough to tempt the 22-year-old.
However, Haaland had to withdraw from Norway’s Euro 2024 qualifying after picking up a groin injury, and has been given one final training session to show he is fit enough to face Liverpool on Saturday for the afternoon.
More to follow…