"Sad for Them": Erling Haaland Says Man City's Champions League Rivals Rejected Him in 2016

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has revealed that FC Copenhagen rejected the chance to sign him in 2016. He said: "Sad for them, but maybe good for me."

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has revealed that FC Copenhagen rejected the chance to sign him in 2016.

Haaland was 16 at the time and playing for Bryne in Norway when Copenhagen offered him a trial in Denmark.

He attended and was keen to join the club but the decision-makers opted not to offer him a contract.

Haaland eventually moved instead to Molde in February 2017, before transferring to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg 18 months later.

From Salzburg, he joined Borussia Dortmund and scored 86 goals in 89 games for the German club.

Then came his move to Man City in the summer of 2022.

He has so far scored 80 goals in 84 appearances for City, including two against Copenhagen in a 5-0 win in last season's Champions League group stage.

Erling Haaland pictured celebrating a goal during Manchester City's 5-0 win over Copenhagen in October 2022 :: IMAGO/PA Images/Nick Potts

City will face Copenhagen again on Wednesday night in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash.

Haaland - who played the full 90 minutes when City won 3-1 in the first leg in Denmark last month - spoke to the media at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

On his history with Copenhagen, he told reporters: "I had a trial, or whatever you want to call it, in 2016. I think a couple of guys from the club wanted me then but not everyone, so it didn't happen.

"Sad for them, but maybe good for me because I went to Molde and it was a good choice. So, I like the club, to be fair, it's a nice club. I've got a couple of friends that live in Copenhagen and they stand behind the goal in a lot of games."

"Sad for them, but maybe good for me" 😂

Erling Haaland says FC Copenhagen rejected him when he was a trialist at the club in 2016 🇩🇰❌ pic.twitter.com/g8k9FvZ9EW

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 5, 2024

After being asked if he had been interested in signing for Copenhagen, he replied: "I was interested, yeah. It was to join the U19s then. Of course I was interested, that's why I went there.

"I remember even speaking with Stale [Solbakken], who was the coach then. I even got a shirt actually, 'no.9 Haaland', I think I still have it at home.

"So yeah, I was interested but it never happened."