Hair We Go! Haaland loses goal-den locks for start of the season

Erling Haaland has kicked off the new football season with a hair-raising surprise: his long blond hair is gone, replaced by a buzz cut!

Like lots of children getting a fresh trim before the new school term, the 26-year-old Manchester City striker decided it was time for a new look.

He revealed it before City's first Premier League match of the season, a 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday.

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There were surprised reactions when Haaland made video calls to City team-mate Jack Grealish, former City manager Pep Guardiola and former Sweden and Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Grealish and Guardiola both said they "love" the change.

"You look about 10 years old. That is hilarious. I can't stop looking at the front of your hair. I love it," said Grealish.

"No way. You're lucky you have hair. I would love to have it. I love it," said Guardiola.

Before calling Ibrahimovic, Haaland joked that the former Sweden international had told him never to cut his long hair.

"Zlatan told me, never cut your hair, because your strength is in your hair. I'm a bit nervous. I want a buzz cut, like in the military."

It turned out Ibrahimovic was not impressed that Haaland didn't follow his advice.

"What did you do? You lost a bet or what? Block me and erase my number," Ibrahimovic said.