Manchester City record-breaker Erling Haaland and his father, former Premier League footballer Alfie Haaland, spent around $134,000 on an exceptionally rare book before donating it to the striker's hometown so it could be seen by the public rather than locked inside a private collection.
The Haalands bought the only surviving copy of a two-volume edition of Norway's royal sagas printed in 1594, paying 1.3 million Norwegian kroner in late 2025. The historic work will be permanently displayed at Bryne Library in Time municipality, where the Premier League Golden Boot winner grew up, under conditions requiring it to remain publicly accessible and securely preserved.
Haaland Wanted the Book Kept Open
The book contains Mattis Størssøn's version of Snorri Sturluson's royal sagas, commonly associated with Heimskringla, a major collection tracing the stories of Norwegian rulers, warriors and communities. Printed in Copenhagen before Norway had its own printing presses, the 1594 publication helped bring medieval Norse history to readers in the Danish-Norwegian language used at the time.
Time municipality said the donated volumes represent the only surviving privately owned copy of the original edition. The purchase reportedly set a new record for the highest price paid for a Norwegian book, turning Haaland's latest acquisition into a very different kind of headline from his usual goals, trophies and luxury fashion moments.
'I want the book always to lie open so that people can read about those who came from where I come from, from Bryne and Jæren', Haaland said in a statement released by the municipality. 'It's easier to feel drawn to reading when you can recognise yourself in the people and places being written about.'
The original book will require a protected display rather than functioning like an ordinary library copy that readers can take from the shelf. Haaland's condition, however, means the historic object must remain visible and available to the public instead of disappearing into a private home, while his EH9 Foundation is working with local officials to provide secure exhibition arrangements.
The Donation Comes With a Reading Challenge
Haaland is also using the donation to encourage children to read more. During the 2026 to 2027 school year, primary and lower secondary pupils will take part in a competition challenging their classes to complete as much reading as possible.
The winning classes will be invited to Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo to watch Haaland and the Norway national team play. The initiative connects the striker's global football profile with a local literacy campaign, giving young readers a sporting incentive while introducing them to stories rooted in their own region.
'I've been lucky enough to live out my dream through football, and I know not everyone gets that chance', the Norway captain said. 'Books give so many more people the chance to dream big, see new possibilities and find their own path.'
A Record-Breaking Gift to His Hometown
The donation also reflects Haaland's long relationship with Bryne, where he entered the local football academy as a child before moving through Molde, Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. He joined Manchester City in 2022 and scored a Premier League-record 36 goals during his first campaign, helping the club win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
Time Mayor Andreas Vollsund described the book as an 'incredibly generous gift' and said the project would give local leaders an opportunity to introduce more young people to reading. Alfie Haaland also said the family's roots remained in the municipality and expressed hope that the book and competition would help shape new generations.
For a footballer whose career has been built around breaking records, this one happened far from the penalty area. Instead of keeping Norway's most expensive book as a private trophy, Haaland placed it in the town where his own story began, with the public invited to discover stories that began centuries before him.
