Dortmund sign teen striking prodigy Haaland
BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund have signed teenage goalscoring sensation Erling Braut Haaland from Salzburg, beating off a host of top European clubs, the German Bundes-liga club announced.
Dortmund said the 19-year-old Norway forward, who scored eight times in the group stage of this season’s Champions League, had signed a contract until 2024 but did not mention a fee.
Haaland has caught the eye of clubs around Europe, reportedly including Juventus and Manchester United, after scoring 28 goals in 22 games in all competitions so far this campaign.
Leipzig also had confirmed their interest earlier this month but Haaland said Dortmund were always his first choice.
“From the beginning I had the feeling I definitely wanted to switch to this club, to walk this path,” he said on Monday.
He will join up with his new teammates on Jan 3 for a training camp in Marbella before Dortmund resume after the Bundesliga’s winter break with a visit to Augsburg on Jan 18.
Haaland, the son of former Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, scored in his first five Champions League matches.
Despite his impressive form Salzburg failed to reach the last 16 following a 2-0 loss to defending champions Liverpool in their final group game this month.