In a surprising move, Clash of Clans, one of the world’s most beloved mobile games, has announced the addition of a new character: Manchester City football sensation Erling Haaland. Developed by Supercell, the game revealed that an animated rendition of Haaland would be joining the fray as the Barbarian King.
Effective Wednesday, players can recruit the Norwegian striker to bolster their ranks or challenge his village in epic battles. Haaland, a self-proclaimed fan of Clash of Clans, expressed his excitement at being immortalized within the game. “Becoming a playable character is really cool,” he remarked.
For those unfamiliar, Clash of Clans is a fantasy strategy game where players construct their villages and engage in raids to assert dominance. Since its inception over a decade ago, the game has amassed over two billion downloads worldwide, solidifying its status as a gaming juggernaut.
Haaland’s inclusion marks a significant milestone for Clash of Clans as he becomes the first real-life personality to be featured in the game. Stuart McGaw, the general manager of Clash of Clans, expressed delight at the partnership, stating, “When we heard Haaland was a fan of our game… it was really a dream scenario.”
The announcement was accompanied by a trailer shared by Haaland on his social media platforms, where he exclaimed, “From the pitch to the battlefield! I’m the new Barbarian King in Clash of Clans.” In a subsequent statement, he revealed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “I’ve been a huge fan of the game for a long time… to appear as an in-game character is really cool.”
This isn’t Haaland’s first foray into the digital realm. Previously, he graced the cover of EA FC 24, formerly known as FIFA, further solidifying his status as a crossover icon between sports and gaming.
Haaland’s integration into Clash of Clans adds to a growing trend of collaborations between video games and celebrities. Recent examples include Fortnite partnering with the likes of Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish, as well as Call of Duty featuring Nicki Minaj.
As Clash of Clans continues to evolve, the addition of Erling Haaland promises to inject a fresh wave of excitement into the game, captivating both football enthusiasts and gamers alike with its innovative blend of sports and fantasy gaming.
