20-year-Old Norwegian Star Could Fulfill His Leeds United Dream Erling Haaland only dreamt Of

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Leeds United may not currently be that glamorous Premier League club they once were, but they remain an attractive home for players, thanks to their rich history and passionate fanbase.

LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Daniel Farke, Manager of Leeds United, celebrates victory in the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Leicester City at Elland Road on February 23, 2024 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Even in the Championship, the club continues to draw impressive crowds, averaging over 36,000 spectators per match at Elland Road so far this season.

For those who dismiss Leeds as a stepping stone for players due to their absence from the top flight, the comments of 20-year-old Norwegian defender Nikolai Hopland make it clear of the club’s enduring turmoil.

HEERENVEEN, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 10: Jakob Breum of Go Ahead Eagles is challenged by Nikolai Hopland of sc Heerenveen during the Dutch Eredivisie match between sc Heerenveen and Go Ahead Eagles at Abe Lenstra Stadion on November 10, 2024 in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (Photo by Pieter van der Woude/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Hopland, currently on loan at Dutch side SC Heerenveen from his home club Aalesunds FK, has been making waves in the Eredivisie.

With seven starts and one substitute appearance to his name this season, he has already scored a goal and so far solid at the back.

Hopland, who is part of Norway’s Under-21 squad, has big dreams of a future at Leeds United hoping to represent the club. “People often laugh when I say this, but since I was four, it has always been Leeds United. Together with my father, I have been there about 20 times,” he said in an interview with Voetbal Primeur.

“I think I have every shirt they’ve had in the last 15 years in my wardrobe and I still watch almost every game if it works out with our own schedule. A really great club.

It is my dream to play for them one day and I will do everything I can to make that dream come true.”

This ambition echoes the words of another Norwegian, Erling Haaland, who once shared a similar dream of playing for Leeds.

OSLO, NORWAY – OCTOBER 15: Erling Haaland of Norway disappointed during the EURO Qualifier match between Norway v Spain at the Ullevaal Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Oslo Norway (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Haaland, now starring for Manchester City, has gone on to achieve remarkable success, including multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League win with the cityzens.

Yet, back in 2017, the striker spoke candidly about his wish to win the Premier League with Leeds. “I want to be the best. The dream is to win the Premier League with Leeds,” Haaland told Aftenposten, revealing his love and connection to the club as he sported an Eirik Bakke shirt.