Erling Haaland’s cousin signs deal to folllow in footsteps of Dortmund star and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Erling Haaland‘s prodigious cousin has taken another step towards emulating the Dortmund forward’s emergence as one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe by signing for Norwegian champions Molde, where the £17 million Norway star impressed before joining Red Bull Salzburg.

Albert Braut Tjaland scored 40 goals in 31 games at youth level last season for second division side Bryne, where Haaland was also prolific during a period that saw him have an unsuccesful trial with Hoffenheim, before making his senior debut in March.

The tall frontman has now made the same move that Haaland completed in 2017, joining the side that Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played for prior to signing for United as a player in 1996 and repeating the switch as a manager 22 years later.

Albert Braut Tjaland (right) is following in the footsteps of famous cousin Erling Haaland (left)

Rising star Tjaland, who will join the Eliteserien title holders’ academy in July, says he sees the hotbed for Norwegian talent as the perfect club to continue his flourishing career at.

‘I chose Molde because they have very good facilities,’ the fledgling hitman told VG. ‘They received me very well, were interested in me and had good plans for me.

‘I look forward to my time in Molde. It is a very nice place where I can develop.’

Tjaland admitted that Haaland, who also joined the club as a 16-year-old, had influenced his decision, saying: ‘I talked to him. He said it was a good place to develop but I made the choice myself.’

Haaland scored 14 goals in 39 appearances for Molde and 17 times in 16 outings for Salzburg, convincing Dortmund to beat United to his signing for £17 million in January, which he has paid back by netting 11 times in 12 Bundesliga matches so far.

Solskjaer signed for Molde slightly later than the pair, joining as a 21-year-old in 1994 and scoring 31 goals in 42 games before United swooped for him two years later.