Top 5 longest contracts in football history as Erling Haaland sings 9.5-year deal at Manchester City

 

• Erling Haaland is set to spend the next decade at Manchester City after signing a new long-term deal
• The Norway international signed a nine-and-a-half-year deal with the club amid the club's 115 charges
• The 24-year-old has scored over 100 goals for Man City since his blockbuster move from Borussia Dortmund in 2022

Erling Haaland has signed a lucrative nine-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City.

The long-term deal will keep him at the club until he is 34, meaning he intends to spend most of his career there.

The Norwegian striker has joined a long list of players who signed long contracts in football history.

Erling Haaland is considered one of the best players in the world. Photos by Carl Recine and Darren Walsh. Source: Getty Images

Haaland signs long-term deal

According to The Athletic, Haaland has signed a new and improved contract with the reigning Premier League champions.

His current deal was set to expire in 2027, and he has now committed most of his football career to the club.

The 24-year-old joined Man City in 2022 for €60million from Borussia Dortmund and became one of the best players in the world.

He has scored an incredible 111 goals in 126 games and won two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Barring any injuries, he could surpass Alan Shearer's Premier League goal-scoring record (260).

“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club," he said via Mancity.com.

Longest contracts in football history

Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), and Raul Gonzalez (Real Madrid) signed lifetime contracts with their clubs. Iniesta left Barcelona a year after getting a lifetime deal. Here are some of the longest contracts in the sport.

5. Joao Felix - 7 years

Felix was seen as the next big thing after Atletico made him the fifth most expensive footballer (€127m) in football history. However, he has not lived up to the price tag. He fell out with Diego Simeone and joined Barcelona on loan before signing a seven-year deal with Chelsea last summer.

Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo, Filip Jorgensen, and Max Kilman have signed seven-year deals.

4. Mykhailo Mudryk - 8.5 years

The Ukrainian joined Chelsea in January 2023 for €70m but is turning out to be one of their worst signings ever. He signed an eight-and-a-half-year deal and was recently provisionally suspended for doping.

Enzo Fernandez and Cesc Fabregas are other players who signed eight-year deals.

3. Cole Palmer - 9 years

Palmer has been a revelation since joining Chelsea in 2023. Last summer, he was handed an improved nine-year contract. He is considered one of the best players in the world.

Lionel Messi, Saul Niguez, and Inaki Williams are other players who inked nine-year contracts.

2. Erling Haaland - 9.5 years

Haaland is one of the most high-profile players to sign a long-term contract. The Norway international finished fifth in the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards but has been tipped to win it in future.

1. Denilson - 10 years

After playing at the 1998 World Cup, Denilson was signed by Real Betis for a world-record fee. He signed a staggering 10-year deal, but in 2000, he was sent on loan to Flamengo. He won the Copa del Rey in 2005 but only made 165 appearances in La Liga.

IMPEACHMENT SAGA: OBASA IS GONNER

NOW THAT THE SPEAKER CAN'T SPEAK AGAIN, LETS RECOUNT HIS MANY MISDOINGS IN AGEGE

Before you grumble too much or cry foul, pause a bit, think back and justify some of his power drunk acts and be true to yourself in your secret corner.

Perhaps the speaker was never told that it is only the mercies of GOD that lasts forever, perhaps he was told but he probably felt that his time can't pass, now he knows better, the cold weather of Atlanta, the darkness of the day around 5pm in the winter must be showing him the reality of this beautiful world.

Who is the Governor politically, am better than all those who came before, that's a statement from someone that went through ile eko agba, lol, I don't lack experience, Adejare & Ogundimu will not return, "e lo so fun Adaranijo ko wa ka owo soke, amo Opeifa," we know he has access to the top but everywhere he goes to I will double cross him, that's a political game right, it's time to pay the price of wrong doings.

"Mo ma retire Opeifa ninu oselu," that was a statement from a watch repairer that was shown divine mercy, everybody must bow to me, now we can see, that GOD alone is the apex leader.

As if making majority to forcefully dance to his beat wasn't enough, he became so power drunk to the extent of fielding candidates in opposition parties to force his will even when the apex leaders stood against him.

How about the denial of Afolabi Ayantayo's candidacy with less than a week to the election and the humiliation of Juby (awon ara Accord) at the polls, "haba, agbara yii pooo oooo" or the popular saying of his boys, "odo wa lagbara wa nisi yin, e je ko lo bo ba se fe," now that the power has deserted you all, "e pelleee oooo."

Omo ni Opeifa, despite all that intimidation he stood firm, I lift my cap for you and without doubts Opeifa deserves to be studied, that's the truth. I hope the undeserved councilor has packed his bags, we forgive but the needful must be done, no 2nd term, mabinu aburo.

Just like the undeserved councilor, days are numbered for several people, I understand you all but it's politics and now that your boss can't speak, the windy Tsunami will do what it's known for.

Just so you know, in a matter of few days, the political figures will pick their followers, form their camps back and stay true to their followers, you might probably hear those songs again:

E pe Taco, e pe ko wole

Taco, Taco, Taco, Taco

E lo fi okan bale

Olugbala bo

Political calculations have changed, the likes of Prince Sunday Ajayi who also refused to bow may be called on to play his cards again, the likes of the gentle Olaniyi who acts against their desired will may have to go, never the less, we are all one, we are only playing the game of politics but we all should learn and not celebrate the fall of a man.

Hot or cold, depending on where you fall, there won't be speak again, "lekan si" has ended and all the unreal glamour and hypes have become a thing of the past as it would be clear now that most men won't stand the test of time after a shift of power.

Ire ooooo ......

- Anonymous

OBASA"S POST IMPEACHMENT DILLEMA ESCALATES

1. Attempt to go to  United Arab Emirates to seek an audience with Mr President, proves abortive. Not given clearance 

2. Prays for relieve from EFCC & ICPC investigation and prosecution as political soft landing as Operatives stationed at airport awaits his return. 

3. Abandoned mistress, others in Atlanta, USA for UAE. Holes up in Texas. 

4. Legal consultant told him that he stands impeached constitutionally. Bow to the House decision via media statement of acceptance of development. 

5. Attempt to mobilize Agege constituents and party members to protest fails. "We warned and warned, he never listens, he was a selfish Emperor in power" 

6. Civil society groups distant from the former Speaker, "He never engaged nor respected us, while in power, his impeachment is the internal matter of the Lagos State House of Assembly"

7. Mudashiru Obasa is not our member, his impeachment valid and constitutional - Nigeria Bar Association members 

8. State cabinet members in Agege federal constituency should resign, they are part of Obasa's team of enforcers - APC members in Agege alleges

9. APC members withdraw from The Mudashiru Movement Muda Eko Obasa Lagos 2027 project

10. Agege Peoples Front compiling list of Obasa's acquired properties in Agege for the EFCC

NIMC SIGNED MOU WITH MINISTRY

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has taken a significant step towards enhancing the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.

Earlier today, FMAFS signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

This strategic partnership focuses on the development of a NIN-enabled Farmer Registry and Government-to-People (G2P) card project.

By leveraging the National Identification Number (NIN), this initiative aims to streamline farmers registration and create comprehensive database for them, ensuring accurate and efficient delivery of agricultural services.

FULL-TIME Man Utd 3-1 Southampton

United were on the way to a fourth straight home defeat against a side who have six points and only one win. Cometh the hour, cometh Amad.

The winger grabs a treble and, if they didn't already, Old Trafford has a new icon.

Man Utd hat-trick hero Amad:

"In football you have to believe and we believed until the end. We are happy to win this game because we got confidence against Liverpool and Arsenal.

"It might be one of the best weeks of my life. We deserve to win this game and I am very happy. We know we have quality players in this team and sometimes we need more time to show the quality in the final third. This team deserves it.

"I'm ready to play any position, wherever the manager likes to put me. I will fight for this club."

Manchester United 3-1 Southpanthon

Amad is carrying this team right now…

Hertha Berlin: Could they be kicked out of the Bundesliga?

 Hertha Berlin sit bottom of the pile in the Bundesliga. Though they have three games to save themselves from relegation, reports of mismanagement may mean they suffer an even worse fate. What’s gone wrong?

Hertha Berlin have endured a miserable season, but it could get even worse© Maja Hitij/Getty Images

A first win since February offered Hertha Berlin a rare Saturday of hope and happiness. But this weekend's 2-1 victory over Stuttgart, one of the few sides Hertha can catch in their mission to stay in the Bundesliga, has been overshadowed by an existential threat.

On Monday, German broadsheet Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that the club are in danger of failing to meet the requirements necessary to play in the top two divisions, regardless of where they finish this season.

It's the latest twist in a tumultuous period for the club who, until the recent emergence of Union, were Berlin's biggest.

What's the issue?

There are two main problems. The first is that Hertha are due to pay back a bond of around €40million later this year and don't have a huge amount of cash or saleable assets in the playing squad.

Secondly, the paper's source claims that their relationship with new US investors 777 Partners has breached 50+1 rules. The system, a major talking point in the German game in recent years, essentially stipulates that clubs must be majority owned by their members, with a few exceptions and loopholes. The suggestion is that 777 have overriden this and wield too much power.

How did it come to this?

It was only three years ago that Lars Windhorst threw €374m ($410m) at Hertha in a blaze of publicity centered around a new slogan and identity as a "big city club”. Windhorst stuck around until eventually selling to 777 at the end of last year.

During his time, the club spent a decent chunk on transfers and wages with no discernable uptick in performances. They survived in the relegation playoff last season having been in the lower half of the table the two seasons before that.

This is in stark contrast to Union, who have flourished in the Bundesliga on a much smaller budget, finishing above Hertha in the last two seasons and will again this time round. They've also won the last five Berlin derbies.

The sight of Union celebrating at Hertha's Olympic Stadium has become common© Matthias Koch/IMAGO

Among many lowpoints in the last few years was the 76-day reign of former Germany player and coach Jürgen Klinsmann. To many, it spoke to Hertha's over-ambition.

What next for Hertha?

The club remain tight-lipped. "We are in regular contact with the DFL, both regarding the ongoing licensing process and the content of the partnership with our investor 777 Partners," said a spokesperson on Monday.

"Both topics must be discussed and clarified while complying with all legal requirements – in particular the 50+1 rule – and substantive specifications. However, we will not comment further on these ongoing processes and speculation in the media at the moment."

They will have until June 30 to resolve any issues and a whole range of penalties or sanctions could be imposed. The DFL, who run the Bundesliga, may be keeping a keener eye on situations such as this given the controversy over selling a portion of their international TV rights to overseas investors.

What about on the pitch?

If things look bleak in the boardroom, they don't look a whole lot better on the pitch. Club favorite Pal Dardai returned to the head coaching role for a second time since departing in 2019 in April. He thinks his side must concentrate on continuing to blow oxygen on to the embers of their recovery.

Pal Dardai has returned to the capital to answer yet another SOS call© Revierfoto/IMAGO

"Teams are able to win every game at the end of the season, and that's why we'll continue to fight as long as it's possible," he said. "We haven't managed anything yet, but we're in a better position now. From the three games left, two wins may be enough to avoid automatic relegation and with three we might even be able to guarantee survival. We will give everything to get the most out of them. As long as it's in our own hands, we don't need to talk about hope. I don't like the word "hope."

What happens next?

Dardai may not like it but, regardless of whether his side can take enough points from a trip to Cologne followed by a home match against Bochum and a final day clash in Wolfsburg, he'll also have to hope any issues are resolved off the pitch.

Though relegation to the 2.Bundesliga is still a distinct possibility, being kicked out of the top two leagues is less likely. It's not without precedent though, second tier clubs Duisburg and 1860 Munich saw their licenses revoked in 2013 and 2017 respectively. Given how Hertha have been operating for a while now, it's not impossible that they'd follow suit.

Author: Matt Pearson