STRIKING PARTNER Man City ace Erling Haaland ‘smitten’ after enjoying secret romance with footballer girlfriend from his hometown

Friends say Erling, 22, is “smitten” with the 18-year-old.

Erling Haaland has been dating long-time pal Isabel Haugseng Johansen for months, pals said

She was pictured with Erling in Marbella this week, where he owns a villa Credit: MEGA

The girl pictured with Erling in Marbella this week has been dating him for months, pals said today.

The pair have mutual friends after growing up together in Bryne and both played for the local football side.

Haaland, who has scored 18 goals in 13 games for City, previously said his footballs were his “girlfriends”.

He teased: “I sleep with the five balls for each hat-trick I have scored. I lie in bed and I feel good with them.”

But this week pictures emerged of Erling with a girl in Marbella, where he owns a villa.

Fans had no idea she was Isabel, who was also previously spotted watching with his family in the stands while he was playing for Borussia Dortmund.

A source said: “It seems to be pretty serious. Isabel has travelled to Germany and England to see Erling and now she’s been with him in Marbella.

“Isabel is well known for her beauty in Bryne. They’ve always known each other.”

Erling, right, on a reported £860,000 a week, is on holiday as Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

An insider added: “Erling has the world at his feet — and women queuing up to be his partner.

“But he’s a very sensible lad and it makes perfect sense he’s with a girl from his home town who he’s known for years.

“He needs to be able to trust the people in his life and just concentrate on football.”

Pals say Isabel, who works part-time in a fashion store, deleted her social media accounts when she grew closer to him.

Erling was approached for comment.

Although the Man City striker previously joked that his footballs were his 'girlfriends'

Haaland is currently on holiday as Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup Credit: Getty