BORUSSIA DORTMUND’S sporting director revealed how showing Erling Haaland a special video showcasing their famed Yellow Wall helped convince him to snub Manchester United.
The Norwegian wonderkid opted to join the Bundesliga outfit last month after a host of European clubs agreed to meet his £17.1million release clause.
Erling Haaland was convinced to join Borussia Dortmund by a video of their ‘yellow wall’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pushed hard to sign his countryman, but the 19-year-old revealed he joined Dortmund because they were the most persuasive.
The German club’s sporting director Michael Zorc has now lifted the lid on the lengths Die Schwarzgelben went to in order to convince Haaland to join.
The 57-year-old admitted the hotshot striker was shown an emotional video from fans in the iconic Sudtribune stand, aka the Yellow Wall, in Signal Iduna Park.
Zorc told Sport Bild: “He seemed to like it!
“We had to reach high to sign Erling and it’s no secret that other well-known clubs were working hard to get him.
Tremendous personality and that suits Dortmund, our stadium and our fans. That is exactly what Erling was looking for
Borussia Dortmund sporting director
“I was like a little boy (when he spoke with Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola on Christmas Eve to confirm the deal).
“This combination of robustness, quality of finishing, good technique and his speed makes Erling special. In our first conversations there was already a positive atmosphere and we both felt good. Erling and BVB – it fits 100 percent.
“[He also has a] tremendous personality and that suits Borussia Dortmund, our stadium and our fans. That is what defines our club and is exactly what Erling was looking for. Such an atmosphere inspires him – he explodes on the pitch.
“Nevertheless, we will ensure that expectations do not rise immeasurably.”
Dortmund’s efforts to land Haaland have already paid dividends, with the Norwegian hitting eight goals in just four appearances so far.
The striker, who has been used as a substitute in three of those games, also struck a second-half hat-trick on his debut after emerging from the bench.
United meanwhile were forced to turn to former Watford star Odion Ighalo and brought the Nigerian in on loan from Chinese outfit Shanghai Greenland Shenhu.
The iconic Sudtribune stand in Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park is famed across EuropeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Erling Haaland in angry bust-up with Kevin Vogt during Dortmund loss to Werder Bremen
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
