Journalist Han Bing reported that January 17th will be a historic moment for world football: Manchester City officially announced a ten-year contract extension with Erling Haaland, lasting until the summer of 2034. This contract surpasses Chelsea's Palmer and Jackson (nine years) to become the longest professional player contract in world football history. The Daily Mail revealed that Haaland's weekly salary in the renewal contract has increased from 375,000 pounds to 500,000 pounds, making the Norwegian the first Premier League star to earn 500,000 pounds per week. The total contract value, including only the base salary, will reach an astonishing 260 million pounds. If various competitive and personal honor bonuses, as well as image rights revenue are included, Haaland's weekly income will reach a staggering 850,000 pounds!
British media disclosed that Manchester City agreed to advance the effective date of the renewal contract from this summer to the beginning of the current season to demonstrate sincerity. This means that over the next ten years, Haaland's annual income at Manchester City will exceed 52 million euros, with a total contract value of 524 million euros. This is one of the highest-value contracts in world professional sports. Although the total amount is not as high as Messi's highest four-year contract at Barcelona (555 million euros), Messi's contract includes a massive 115 million euro renewal bonus and a 78 million euro loyalty bonus, which is not included in Haaland's renewal contract. This contract also surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo's two-and-a-half-year contract with Riyadh Victory (500 million euros). At least in the football world, Haaland's super-long-term renewal contract is undoubtedly one of the most expensive ever.
Even compared to other professional sports, the amount of Haaland's super-long contract can rank among the top. Last December, Dominican baseball superstar Juan Soto signed a 15-year contract worth a total of 765 million US dollars (728 million euros) with the New York Mets, which is currently the highest-value professional athlete contract in the world. Ranking second is the ten-year long-term contract (from 2024 to 2033) signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani in October 2023, with a total value of 700 million US dollars (660 million euros). Including Messi's contract from that year, Haaland's renewal contract currently ranks among the top 4 in world sports history, surpassing Benzema of Jeddah United (2 years, 400 million euros), as well as Mahomes, the owner of the largest contract in North American rugby (10 years, 375 million euros).
Haaland's shocking super-big contract has stunned the Premier League and the entire football world. The contract ends in the summer of 2034, when Haaland will be 34 years old, meaning it is almost a lifetime contract. Moreover, the buyout clause in Haaland's first contract has been cancelled. The new buyout clause in this renewal contract will not take effect until the summer of 2029. Although the specific amount of this clause has not been disclosed, it is said to be very significant, enough to deter clubs interested in taking Haaland away.
Begiristan, the sports director who will leave Manchester City this summer, was the main operator of Haaland's super-long renewal. He stated that Manchester City's signing of a ten-year contract with Haaland demonstrates the club's long-term commitment to the player and Haaland's love for Manchester City. The Norwegian superstar is willing to dedicate the next ten years of his career to the Blue Moon Army. It is claimed that Guardiola's two-year renewal was an important reason for Haaland's determination to sign a super-long contract. The Norwegian superstar is confident in Guardiola's ability to complete the rejuvenation of Manchester City within the contract period and establish a brand-new championship lineup centered around himself.
The signing of this long-term contract means that Manchester City has officially entered the "Haaland era." The team-building strategy of the Blue Moon Army for the next ten years will revolve entirely around Haaland. Regardless of whether Guardiola leaves in the future or who becomes the successor to the Spanish coach, the Haaland era will remain unchanged.
Haaland's signing of such a long-term contract with Manchester City naturally links people to the 115 financial fair play violations the club is facing. Manchester City is currently under investigation by the Premier League for financial fair play violations, with a verdict expected as early as February. If the charges are proven, the punishment Manchester City faces could result in relegation from the Premier League. However, Haaland, who signed a long-term contract, stated: Even if Manchester City is relegated as a result, he will continue to stay with the Blue Moon Army. Haaland's super-long renewal contract aims to add confidence to the Manchester City dressing room and throughout the club, dispelling fans' concerns about the team potentially falling apart after being penalized.
Manchester City chose to sign a long-term contract with Haaland before the judgment on financial fair play violations was issued, obviously preparing for possible penalties. British media believe that Manchester City is very optimistic about the judgment on the violation investigation but has also made preparations for both possibilities. Signing a super-long contract with Haaland in advance can be considered a long-term "insurance" against potential heavy fines. After all, even if the worst-case scenario occurs and Manchester City is demoted, the Blue Moon Army still has the opportunity to appeal, and the litigation period could last for several years, allowing the club to complete its rejuvenation during the same period.
British media mentioned Brazilian legendary star Denilson, who is a typical negative example of signing a super-long contract. After the 1998 World Cup, Denilson joined La Liga powerhouse Real Betis for a world-record transfer fee of 31.5 million euros. At that time, Denilson's contract with Betis was also ten years long, but Betis was relegated two seasons later. In the summer of 2005, after seven seasons, Betis sold Denilson to Ligue 1's Bordeaux for a mere 500,000 euros.
Haaland, who has already proven himself in the Premier League, is clearly not Denilson. Manchester City's signing of a super-long contract with this superstar, who is most likely to open a new era after the Messi-Ronaldo era, is equivalent to declaring to the world their ambition to dominate the Premier League and European football for the next decade. Of course, to some extent, it is also a demonstration to the Premier League at a time when they are facing financial charges.