Erling Haaland has purchased a property at Manchester City Yas Residences, a residential development by Ohana on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, according to Spanish sports business publication Palco23, citing a report by The Times. The investment links the Manchester City striker to a real estate project bearing the name of his club.
The 26-year-old forward announced his involvement in the development in a message, saying he would be joining the project and becoming a neighbour to others in Abu Dhabi. His father has also purchased a home in the development.
The specific property acquired by Haaland and the transaction value have not been disclosed. As a market reference, an average two-bedroom townhouse on the Yas coast is valued at more than £770,000 (€910,802), while bespoke luxury homes within the development start at approximately £7.52 million.
Manchester City Yas Residences is located along the canal on Yas Island and is described as the first residential community in the world to carry the English club’s name. The investment comes within a broader business ecosystem connecting football, leisure and property in Abu Dhabi, where the group that owns Manchester City is based. The emirate’s investment in the club dates back to 2008.
Benzema also expands his property portfolio
Haaland’s purchase follows a real estate investment by Karim Benzema in Dubai. On October 6, developer Binghatti announced that the French forward had acquired several residential units at Mercedes-Benz Places | Binghatti City, including a luxury residence in Vision Iconic Tower.
The announcement was made during the tower’s official launch at Coca-Cola Arena, where Benzema signed the agreement with Abdullah Binghatti, the developer’s chief commercial officer.
Vision Iconic Tower is planned to comprise 78 floors and 1,426 residences, ranging from one- to five-bedroom units to royal suites, alongside 27 retail outlets. The development occupies a site of approximately 22,300 square metres in Nad Al Sheba, near Meydan.
The wider project is planned to include around 13,386 homes across 12 skyscrapers arranged around a central tower reaching approximately 341 metres. The project marks Binghatti’s second collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, following the launch of the brand’s first tower in 2024.
Binghatti has presented Benzema’s investment as a sign of the appeal of its developments among international celebrities and investors. Haaland’s purchase similarly connects a high-profile footballer with a property project whose branding is tied directly to his club.
The two transactions illustrate how professional footballers can extend their commercial activities beyond salaries and sponsorships into high-value property investments, while developers use their profiles to attract international buyers.