Erling Haaland's Derby County interaction sparks response from Dion Sanderson | OneFootball

The Manchester City frontman has reacted to Sondre Langas' return from international duty, prompting Dion Sanderson to play agent

Sondre Langas has returned to Derby County for pre-season, following a run to the World Cup quarter-finals with Norway this summer.

What's turning out to be the start of a golden generation of Norwegian football competed in just their fourth-ever World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer, and recorded their best-ever finish in a major tournament.

Norway even took the lead in their last-eight matchup with England, but a brace from Jude Bellingham saw the Three Lions advance to the semi-finals at their expense, where they'd fall to Argentina.

Langas didn't play much of a part in Stale Solbakken's side during the competition, making just one substitute appearance in the throwaway group game against France after securing their qualification through the opening two matches against Iraq and Senegal.

However, this Norway side was incredibly close throughout the summer, taking part in the Viking Row with their fans after wins and travelling across North America together.

Dion Sanderson asks Erling Haaland to join Derby County after striker reacts to Sondre Langas' return

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Leading the line for them was Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, scoring seven times throughout the competition, including both in their famous win over Brazil in the Round of 16.

The 26-year-old also became much more world-famous than he already was before heading to the World Cup during his time in North America, too. He now has more Instagram followers than every Premier League club.

Despite that following, he was able to take time to react to Langas' return to Derby, which the Rams posted about on their own Instagram.

"Langdrid👍🏻 What a vacation! Long👍🏻," commented Haaland in the matter-of-fact manner that the 26-year-old has become loved for adopting. Even despite the centre-back's lack of involvement, he still made an impact just by being in the squad.

Understandably, a lot of Rams fans were quick to reply to his comment, asking if he can follow Langas to Pride Park this summer. Amongst those replies, though, was the Norwegian's centre-back partner at Derby, Dion Sanderson.

"@erling. Fancy signing?" he said.

With Patrick Agyemang set to start the campaign on the sidelines as he continues to recover from the ruptured Achilles, Derby may need a striker addition to help back up Carlton Morris.

Fellow Norwegian striker Lars-Jorgen Salvesen is currently in reserve, but Haaland would definitely tick all the boxes that John Eustace would want in a frontman.

Unfortunately, the 26-year-old may not be open to a drop down to the Championship just yet, as he strives to get his hands back on the Premier League title with Manchester City after coming up short in the past two seasons.

Derby County and Sondre Langas will be striving to face Erling Haaland and Manchester City in the near future

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Langas has endured a difficult campaign in his first full year at Pride Park last season. Knee surgery in the offseason after picking up an injury in the latter stages of the 2024/25 term ruled him out of the first couple of months of the campaign, and a hamstring injury in January sidelined him for another two months.

He's been fit all summer, though, and will be looking to avoid the treatment room next season to help the Rams at least maintain their top-eight finish from last year, which would see them into the expanded play-offs.

Derby flew up the table in John Eustace's first year in charge, and will be looking to go from strength to strength once more to ruffle a few feathers in the promotion chase next year.

The Rams have been starved of Premier League football for 18 years now, but there's big belief that next season could be their best chance of returning since their last play-off campaign under Frank Lampard in 2018/19.