Erling Haaland

A record-breaking striker who scored five goals in his first two matches and reshaped BVB's attack overnight.

Erling Haaland joined Borussia Dortmund in December 2019, arriving from Red Bull Salzburg just three days before the winter transfer window opened. The club secured the 19-year-old for a reported fee of €20 million on a four-and-a-half-year contract. His debut came on 18 January 2020 against FC Augsburg, where he entered as a second-half substitute and scored a hat-trick within 23 minutes in a 5–3 victory. This feat made him only the second player in Dortmund history after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score three goals on their Bundesliga debut.

Quick Facts

Full name: Erling Braut Haaland
Born: 21 July 2000
Birthplace: Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Height: 1.95 m / 6 ft 5 in
Position: Striker
Current club: Manchester City

Lore & Background

He made history by becoming the first Bundesliga player to score five goals in his opening two matches, reaching that tally in just 56 minutes of play. Six days after his debut against Augsburg, he returned as a substitute against FC Köln, scoring twice within 22 minutes to help secure a 5–1 win. His early dominance earned him the January Bundesliga Player of the Month award despite playing only one hour in the league that month. By 1 February, he had scored seven goals in his first three matches—a unique record in German top-flight history. Beyond domestic play, Haaland brought a new level of intensity to Europe; he became the first teenager to score in his first four Champions League appearances, following in the footsteps of legends like Zé Carlos and Alessandro Del Piero.

Reader's Guide

Haaland’s time at Borussia Dortmund (2019–2022) began with a historic debut season. He joined on 29 December 2019 for €20 million and made an instant impact, scoring a hat-trick on his Bundesliga debut against FC Augsburg. Within two matches, he had netted five goals in just 56 minutes of play—a record-breaking start that earned him the January Player of the Month award. By early February, he had already scored seven goals in three games, a first in league history. His Champions League performances were equally remarkable: he became the first teenager to score in his first four appearances in the competition and only the second after Karim Benzema to find the net in each of his first three outings. These feats laid the foundation for his transfer to Manchester City in 2022, where he would go on to win multiple titles and break further scoring records.