Manchester City achieved a remarkable milestone after announcing the extension of Erling Haaland’s contract for nine and a half years, making it the largest contract ever in the history of the Premier League.
According to Manchester Evening News, the announcement of Haaland’s new deal surpassed all expectations, reaching an incredible 200 million views on the club’s media platforms in just five days.
Haaland, also known as “the Viking,” has shown impressive skill not only on the pitch but also in building his personal brand. The creative teaser video released before the official contract announcement was his idea, and he played an active role in both the concept and production, showcasing his remarkable awareness of how to market himself on a global scale.
Haaland Takes the Spotlight: Manchester City Star Drives Club’s Popularity with Historic Numbers
Gavin Johnson, head of the club’s studios, praised Haaland for not only his talent but also his professionalism. “He’s always clear about what he wants,” Johnson said. “He has a sense of humour, but he handles everything with total professionalism.”
Johnson also emphasised a memorable scene from the video, where Haaland braved freezing temperatures of -2°C, showcasing his commitment to perfection in every aspect of his career.
This media success highlights the tremendous rise in Manchester City’s popularity, largely driven by Haaland’s influence. The announcement of his contract extension has more than doubled the number of views the club received when they first signed him in 2022.
Haaland’s appeal has helped the club strengthen its global fanbase, with the Norwegian star becoming an icon for children and fans worldwide.
Manchester City became the most-watched team globally according to Nielsen ratings in the season they won the historic treble, and they maintained this dominance by clinching the league title for the fourth consecutive season.
On social media, the club achieved 6.5 billion video views in the first six months of the season, outpacing Liverpool by one billion views, Manchester United by 1.7 billion, and more than doubling Arsenal’s views.
