Footballer Erling Haaland is to become a video game character as part of a new partnership with mobile game Clash of Clans.

As a result, the partnership will see the football superstar become the ‘Barbarian King’ character as part of a football-themed seasonal game event.

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Users will also be able to play as Haaland in the mobile game and enjoy a host of football-themed features appearing in the game throughout the month, including special troop characters and medal events.

Haaland said: “It’s been tough to keep this one quiet, but I’m excited to finally be able to talk about this epic partnership with Clash of Clans. I’ve been a huge fan of the game for a long time and know everything about it, so to appear as an in-game character is really cool.”

According to the mobile game, it is the first time a character has been launched, based on a real person.

Clash of Clans, General Manager, Stuart McGaw, said: “When we heard Erling Haaland was a fan of our game and that he wanted to partner with us, it was really a dream scenario.

“Our team did everything we could to bring him, one of the world’s best athletes, into the world of the game so our players could enjoy a truly special moment.”