- Erling Haaland called Ivar Eggja “uncle” because of how close they were
- Eggja helped Haaland move apartment when he joined Manchester City in 2022
- The family friend was Alf-Inge Haaland’s best man when he married Gry Marita
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has paid tribute to a family friend who has passed away aged 59.
The Norwegian, who was on international missions, announced on social media on Wednesday evening that Ivar Eggja had died.
Considered the Haaland family’s main troubleshooter, Eggja was also known as the City striker’s “uncle” and was more than just best friends with his father, Alf-Inge.
Following his passing, Haaland wrote on Instagram: “You are a legend, Ivar. There are no words to describe how much you meant to me! There are no words to describe how much we will miss you!”
‘I don’t give a shit! I don’t give a shit! That’s exactly what I’m gonna do. Thanks for everything, you nutcase. We’ll meet again. Rest in peace, Ivar.’
Ivar Eggja, a close friend of Erling Haaland’s family, has passed away at the age of 59
Haaland rushed to see Eggja before his passing after playing for Norway earlier in the week.
The striker took to Instagram to write a heartfelt tribute to a man he always called ‘uncle’.
Eggja, who was Alf-Inge’s best man when he married Haaland’s mother Gry Marita, played a major role in the striker’s successes in football.
When Haaland signed for City in 2022, Eggja found an apartment for him and made sure it was fully furnished so the 24-year-old could focus on playing.
The family friend did the same with Haaland at his two former clubs, Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
The Norwegian once said: “I think if I had been alone and had to choose my own apartment and go shopping at IKEA, I wouldn’t have scored three goals against Augsburg on my debut for Dortmund.”
Eggja was a father of three and leaves behind sons Fabian and Felix, and daughter Ine, the latter of whom took to Facebook to confirm the news.
“The superhero of our lives has been taken from us,” Ine wrote. “At 3.30pm we said goodbye to Dad for the last time and it feels like the whole world has frozen. He meant a lot to a lot of people but to us he meant everything.”
Eggja has always been in Haaland’s life due to his relationship with his father Alf-Inge (center)
Ever the business enthusiast, Eggja opened two shoe stores in 1980 in the town where Haaland grew up: Byrne.
His career then took him into the hospitality sector and he opened a bar and restaurant with Alf-Inge, which closed in 2014.
Eggja became heavily involved in Haaland’s footballing career over the years and could often be seen sitting alongside the striker’s father during Premier League and Champions League matches.
In addition to his family, Eggja also reached out to Haaland’s advisors, none more so than his agent Rafaela Pimenta.
Eggja became a major part of the striker’s career and even helped him move when he joined Man City in 2022.
On Instagram, Pimenta wrote: ‘Ever since I met you, I thought your power was to light 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 ultimate 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.”
The cause of Eggja’s death is currently unknown and he becomes the second loss within Team Haaland after the death of Mino Raiola in April 2022.
