Player Talent Scout: Erling Braut Håland

The 2019/20 Champions League kicked off last night and the star of the first night wasn’t any of the usual suspects, but 19 year-old Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Braut Håland who bagged a first half hat-trick in the 6-2 demolition of Genk.

Born in Leeds, where his father Alf-Inge Håland played, Håland junior started his career at Bryne FK where his impressive form for the reserves saw him make his debut in the Norwegian 1. divisjon at the tender age of 15.

Following an unsuccessful trial at TSG Hoffenheim, Håland made the move to Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Molde FK ahead of the 2017 season. He made 20 appearances in his first season, mostly from the bench, but the following year he established himself with 15 goals in 31 games, including a a 17 minute 4 goal haul against SK Brann.

Red Bull Salzburg signed the striker for 5m euros in January 2019 which was a wise move as that summer Håland really made a name for himself. He was top scorer at the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, scoring all 9 of his tournament goals in Norway’s 12-0 mauling of Honduras, setting a new Under-20 World record for the most goals ever scored by a single player in a match.

Despite his 6 foot 4 frame, Håland is not your traditional number 9, he is mobile and has the ability to run at defenders, and his movement and finishing are also excellent as proven by his 11 goals in the first 7 games of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season. His hat-trick last night was his fourth already this season, and if he continues his incredible goalscoring form it won’t be long before he makes the move to one of Europe’s big clubs.