Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland (25) has bought the most expensive book in his country’s history. According to the NTB news agency, he and his father Alf-Inge purchased a copy of Snorri Sturluson’s royal sagas from 1594 in December for 1.3 million Norwegian crowns (just under 116,000 euros). But he doesn’t want to keep it. “I was never much of a reader,” he told Time, according to a statement from his hometown. He has now left the book permanently to them, more precisely to the library in the town of Bryne, where Haaland grew up.
However, the Manchester City football star has set one condition. “I want the book to always be open so that people can read about those who come from my homeland, Bryne and Jæren,” the municipality quotes Haaland as saying. It is easier to get interested in reading if you recognize yourself in the people described. “I’m living my dream, but unfortunately it’s only available to a few. I’ve seen how books enable many people to dream and make their dreams come true.”
The book will be used in a reading competition at schools in the community in the coming school year. The prize: a visit to Oslo’s Ullevaal football stadium for a game with Haaland and the Norwegian national team.