Erling Haaland donates £100,000 Viking manuscript to hometown library

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In one of the most remarkable off-field gestures in modern football, Erling Haaland has donated a rare Viking-era manuscript worth around £100,000 to his hometown in Norway—combining sport, history, and culture in a powerful way.

A record-breaking historic purchase

Haaland, together with his father Alf-Inge Haaland, purchased a 1594 edition of Heimskringla—one of the most important works in Scandinavian history. The book, written by medieval historian Snorri Sturluson, chronicles the lives of Norwegian kings and Viking rulers.

The manuscript was bought at auction for approximately 1.3 million Norwegian kroner (£100,000–£130,000), making it the most expensive book ever sold in Norway.

Even more extraordinary, reports suggest that this edition is extremely rare—possibly the only surviving copy of its kind.

Donated to Bryne for public access

Instead of keeping the historic treasure private, Haaland donated it to the local library in Bryne, within the Time municipality where he grew up.

The book will now:
Be permanently displayed in the library
Be preserved under secure conditions
Remain accessible to the public and future generations
Haaland made it clear that the purpose of buying the book was not ownership, but ensuring it stays in his home region of Jæren and remains available for people to learn from.

Inspiring reading and education

Beyond the donation itself, Haaland’s initiative goes even further. Plans linked to the gift include:

Educational programs for students
Reading initiatives to encourage young people
Competitions that reward learning and engagement
The goal is simple: to inspire a new generation through history and storytelling.

Haaland himself highlighted the importance of books, explaining that while only a few people achieve their dreams in football, books give many more people the chance to dream and succeed.

A deeper connection to roots

This gesture reflects Haaland’s strong connection to his roots. Raised in Bryne, he has always maintained close ties to his community despite becoming one of the biggest stars in world football.

By donating a book that tells the story of Norwegian kings and Viking heritage, he is:

Preserving national history
Strengthening cultural identity
Giving back to the place where his journey began
More than football
At just 25, Haaland is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, known for his dominance at Manchester City and for the Norwegian national team.

But this act shows a different dimension to his legacy.

This is not just a football story—it is a story about:

Culture
Education
Community impact