Erling Haaland Donates Rare 16th-Century Viking Manuscript to Hometown Library

Erling Haaland, Manchester City striker and Norway's all-time top scorer, donated a rare 16th-century manuscript about Viking history to the public library in Bryne, the western Norwegian town where he grew up. The footballer purchased the book in December for approximately 1.3 million Norwegian kroner, equivalent to around 150,000 euros, and presented it to the library so that residents could access it freely. The donation was made quietly at the time but was revealed by the Norwegian press in recent days. Haaland made the gesture alongside his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, himself a former professional footballer. The manuscript tells medieval stories of kings, queens, farmers, and Viking warriors from the Jaeren region of western Norway.

A 1594 printed edition of Snorri Sturluson's work The donated volume is a printed edition from 1594 of a work by Snorri Sturluson, a 13th-century Icelandic historian. The text chronicles the history of the Norse world, including the deeds of rulers and warriors connected to the region around Bryne and Jaeren. The edition dates to the late 16th century, making it a rare surviving printed copy of a medieval historical work. Haaland purchased the manuscript and transferred it to the Bryne library so that it would remain permanently accessible to the public. The book is intended to be kept open for visitors to read, rather than stored away in a private collection. 1594 (year of edition) — year the donated manuscript edition was printed

Haaland: books give people the chance to dream big Haaland explained his motivation in terms of community and opportunity. He expressed a desire for the people of Bryne and Jaeren to connect with the history of those who came before them. „I want this book to always be open so that people can read about those who came from where I come from, from Bryne and Jaeren.” — Erling Haaland via Diario de Noticias The striker, who holds the record as Norway's all-time leading scorer with 55 (international goals) — Erling Haaland's total goals for Norway national team, acknowledged that his own path through professional football was not available to everyone. „I was lucky enough to fulfill my dream through football, but I know that not everyone has that opportunity. Books give many people the chance to dream big, understand new possibilities and find their own path.” — Erling Haaland via Diario de Noticias

Born in Leeds, raised in his father's Norwegian hometown Erling Haaland was born in Leeds, England, while his father Alf-Inge Haaland was playing for Leeds United. He grew up in Bryne, his father's hometown in the Jaeren region of western Norway, and the town has remained central to his personal identity. The donation reflects a long-standing connection between the Haaland family and the local community. Alf-Inge Haaland, also a former professional player, participated in the gesture alongside his son. Snorri Sturluson, born in 1179 and killed on September 23, 1241, was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician who served twice as lawspeaker of the Althing, the Icelandic parliament. He is widely credited with authoring or compiling major works of Old Norse literature and historical writing. The Jaeren region of western Norway, where Bryne is located, features prominently in Norse historical accounts of the medieval period. Erling Haaland plays as a striker for Manchester City in the English Premier League and is considered one of the best footballers in the world. The manuscript now held in Bryne library represents one of the oldest printed records of the region's medieval history available to the Norwegian public.