Erling Haaland is forced to ‘contact’ Brazilian side Fluminense as they announce shock signing of Man City superstar on their official website… but why?

♦ Erling Haaland was shocked to learn that he was a Fluminense player on Tuesday 

♦ Thiago Silva will return to his former side Fluminense in July on a two-year deal

Erling Haaland was forced to ‘contact’ Brazilian outfit Fluminense on Tuesday after it was announced that the Manchester City star had signed for the club.

The Rio de Janeiro club, who currently sit 17th in the Brazilian top flight, shocked fans with a stunning announcement on their official website, claiming to have signed the Norwegian superstar.

The article published to Fluminense’s website claimed that Haaland had been signed ‘after intense negotiations and a great effort from our management’ and that his arrival ‘will be a decisive framework for the turn of our season’.

According to Brazilian outlet ge.globo, Haaland ‘contacted’ Fluminense on Tuesday to ask why this article had been published, and the Brazil club confirmed their website had been invaded by hackers.

The announcement sparked a frenzy among Fluminense fans on social media until an account on X assumed responsibility for the prank.

Erling Haaland (celebrating his Premier League title above) was forced to ‘contact’ Fluminense on Tuesday after it was announced that the Manchester City star had signed for the Brazil club

The article announcing Haaland’s arrival, which was published to Fluminense’s website, said the signing occurred ‘after intense negotiations and a great effort from our management’

Brazil legend Thiago Silva will return to his old club Fluminense in July on a two-year deal

Fluminense resolved the issue by taking the article down early on Tuesday morning.

Although the struggling side missed out on Haaland, their fans have been blessed with the arrival of Brazil legend Thiago Silva, who signed for the club on a free deal following his exit from Chelsea this summer.

Silva, who will join his former side in July on a two-year deal, has made over 100 international caps for his country and chalked up a rich portfolio of club honours including a Champions League, Club World Cup and eight domestic titles during spells in Italy and France and England.

During his first stint with Fluminense, the 39-year-old centre-back made 97 appearances and steered the club towards winning the Brazilian Cup in 2007.