"The aim is to have fun. When I have fun I score goals and win games."
Fun was the word of the day for Erling Haaland on Sunday afternoon, as the Manchester weather did its best to disrupt proceedings in a rather unexpected way.
The sun beat down on the Etihad Stadium - and indeed the whole country - with unrelenting intensity as Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Stefan Ortega were presented to Manchester City supporters at a special new signing event outside the stadium's West Reception.
City fans had queued up since the early morning to snag the best spots from which to catch a glimpse of their soon-to-be heroes, and for some, the hot weather proved too much.
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City Square presenters Danny Jackson and Natalie Pike had to interrupt their pre-event build-up routine to direct medics to members of the crowd in need of help, and to remind the hundreds of Blues present to stay hydrated. Those worrying moments aside, there was a tangible sense of excitement in the air, not just from the hoard of kids in their newly-printed 'Haaland' and 'Alvarez' shirts but from attendees of all ages.
Having baked in the sun for long enough, Ortega - City's new goalkeeper signed to provide competition for Ederson - was the first interviewee to take the stage, excitedly recalling how he had just arrived in Mallorca on vacation when his agent called to tell him Txiki Begiristain wanted to talk.
Next up was Alvarez, already a popular figure among City fans for the resemblance his signing bears to the arrival of Sergio Aguero 11 years ago.
"There is a long story of Argentinian players at City. I have spoken to Kun [Aguero], but I want to make my own story at the club and help the team," the 22-year-old said after the City fans had serenaded him with chants of "Sergio, Sergio."
Kalvin Phillips did not attend the event after being taken ill, but if truth be told it was obvious that everyone was there to see one man. The biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for Haaland, whose enthusiasm for the supporters' chants was infectious and gave an insight into his affection for the club his father played for.
Dwarfing over the presenters alongside him, Haaland, while giving little away as to how he expects the season to go, was adamant of three things: he wants to have fun, he wants to score goals and he can't wait to play against arch-rivals Manchester United.
The fun and wholesome theme continued when Haaland was questioned on his family links to City, with dad Alfie standing in the crowd watching on.
"It's going to be nice [continuing the Haaland legacy at City], my father played here and it's always special when your father does something and you manage to follow him." When asked who his footballing idol was growing up, the answer was an easy one. "My dad, of course... but Aguero too."
All in all, it was a fun first public outing for three-quarters of City's new recruits, and particularly for one young lad who won a signed Haaland shirt. As the presenters made sure to point out, the youngster made a poor sartorial choice in wearing a red t-shirt, but on such a nice day they let it slide.
The shining Manchester sun making a rare appearance mirrored the occurrence of something else not witnessed in these parts for a while; a new beginning of sorts for City and a season where anything could happen.
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