Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has paid tribute to a family friend who has passed away aged 59.
The Norweigan, who has been away on international duty, announced on Wednesday evening via social media that Ivar Eggja had died.
Seen as a chief fixer for the Haaland family, Eggja was also known as ‘Uncle’ to the City striker and was more than a best friend to his father, Alf-Inge.
Following his passing, Haaland wrote on Instagram: ‘You are a legend, Ivar. Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed!
‘I don’t give a s***! I don’t give a s***! That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace, Ivar.’
Erling Haaland’s close family friend Ivar Eggja has passed away aged just 59 years old
Haaland rushed over to see Eggja before his passing after playing with Norway in the week
Eggja, who was Alf-Inge’s best man when he married Haaland’s mother Gry Marita, played a major part in the striker’s successes in football.
When Haaland signed for City in 2022, Eggja sought out an apartment for him and ensured it was fully furnished so the 24-year-old could focus on playing.
The family friend did the same for Haaland at both his former clubs Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
The Norweigan once said: ‘I think if I had been all alone and had to choose my own apartment and go shopping in IKEA, I wouldn’t have scored three goals against Augsburg on my Dortmund debut.’
Eggja was a father of three and leaves behind his sons Fabian and Felix, and daughter Ine, with the latter taking to Facebook to confirm the news.
‘The superhero of our lives has been taken from us,’ wrote Ine. ‘At 3.30 p.m. we said goodbye to Dad for the last time and it feels a bit like the whole world has been put on ice. He meant so much to so many people, but to us he was everything.’
Always a keen businessman, in 1980, Eggja opened two shoe shops in the town where Haaland grew up – Byrne.
Eggja has always been in Haaland’s life because of his relationship with father Alf-Inge (centre)
His career then took him into the hospitality industry and he opened a bar and restaurant with Alf-Inge. However, in 2014, it closed down.
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Eggja became heavily involved in Haaland’s footballing journey through the years, and could often be seen sitting next to the striker’s father during Premier League and Champions League matches.
In addition to his family, Eggja also grew close to Haaland’s advisors, none more so than his agent Rafaela Pimenta.
On Instagram, Pimenta wrote: ‘Ever since I met you, I thought your power was to brighten up any room.
‘I didn’t know it was a superpower, and that you would go through so much, so soon, so fast, in a way that is the best example of strength, dignity, tolerance and optimism that family and friends can only dream of. It was an honor to be a small part of your journey.’
Eggja’s cause of death is currently unknown and he becomes the second loss within Team Haaland after the death of Mino Raiola in April 2022.
