Manchester City striker Erling Haaland said FC Copenhagen turned down the chance to sign him in 2016.
Haaland was 16 at the time and playing for Bryne in Norway when Copenhagen sued him in Denmark.
He was there and looking to sign for the club, but those in charge decided not to offer him a contract.
Haaland moved to Molde in February 2017, before moving to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg 18 months later.
Originally from Salzburg, he signed for Borussia Dortmund and scored 86 in 89 appearances for the German club.
Then came his move to Man City in 2022.
He has scored 80 goals in 84 appearances for City, adding two against Copenhagen in a 5-0 Champions League win last season.
Erling Haaland photographed celebrating a goal in Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Copenhagen in October 2022
IMAGO/PA Images/Nick Potts
City will face Copenhagen on Wednesday night in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Haaland, who played the full 90 minutes in City’s 3-1 first-leg win in Denmark last month, spoke to the media at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
On his history with Copenhagen, he told reporters: “I had a trial, or whatever you want to call it, in 2016. I think some guys at the club looked for me at the time, but not all of them, so that didn’t happen.
“Sad for them, but maybe smart for me because I went to the Mold and it was a smart choice. So, I like the club, to be fair, it’s a great club. I have some friends who live in Copenhagen.
Asked if he was interested in signing for Copenhagen, he replied: “I was interested, yes. It was to sign for the U-19s at the time. Of course I was interested, that’s why I went.
“I even spoke to Stale [Solbakken], who was a coach at the time. They even gave me a shirt, ‘No. 9 Haaland’, I think I still have it at home.
“So yes, I was interested, but it never happened. “