Man City striker Erling Haaland pays train ticket fares for 200 fans of his former Norwegian club Bryne

Erling Haaland has paid £13,000 for the train tickets of 200 fans who support his former Norwegian club Bryne as they enter the playoffs for the first time since 2006 next Saturday. 

The Man City striker played as a youth for his boyhood club Bryne in 2005 before making his professional debut for the side in 2015.

He then moved to Molde in 2017 before signing for Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and Man City. 

Now, the Norwegian international has forked out for Bryne fans to travel to in Kristiansand for their side's playoff game against Start, TV 2 reports.

The team surprised everyone - including Haaland - when they secured the last qualifying place in the OBOS league.

The superstar striker then decided to help fans with the cost of a ticket, which is around £52 (NOK 698). 

By helping 200 fans, the player is believed to be paying roughly £13,100 (NOK 175,000).

He also said he will treat fans to bus tickets if they do not want to take a train. 

Bjørn Hagerud Røken, who is marketing manager at Bryne FK, told TV 2: 'From the club's side, it is a secret question regarding who treats the fans. 

'We can't say much other than that it's fantastic that we get the opportunity to send as many supporters as possible to Kristiansand. 

'Times are tough for people financially, and that makes it harder for people to prioritize traveling to a game like this here. This has therefore given more fans the opportunity to travel.'

Press spokesman Ole Morten Hobberstad also added: 'It's nice that Erling wants to sponsor a trip for the Bryne supporters, it's something the whole of Bryne really appreciates. 

'It also contributes to the fact that several people who perhaps did not prioritize it in the first place due to price growth and interest rate increases are now traveling to support Bryne in the promotion qualification.'