Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker, is set to make his acting debut after joining the cast of the upcoming animated feature film, ViQueens.

Producers of the movie announced the development in a social media post, revealing that the Norwegian international will voice a character inspired by himself in the adventure film.

According to the announcement, Haaland will portray a “legendary Viking” named Haaland in the animated production, which is scheduled for release on Christmas Day.

The film is set in a fictional world filled with warrior girls, frozen fjords, and elements drawn from Silk Road mythology, blending fantasy, humour and adventure.

Solveig Langeland, managing director of Sola Media, the company overseeing global sales for the project, described Haaland’s involvement as an exciting addition to the movie.

She said the footballer’s appearance would add a fresh dimension to the production, which combines emotional storytelling with international adventure themes aimed at a broad audience.

The animated film also features a number of high-profile entertainers, including Rita Ora and Ella Purnell, who voice the lead characters Hedvig and Ingrid respectively.

Haaland, widely regarded as one of Europe’s top football stars, currently plays for Manchester City and Norway’s national team. The role in ViQueens marks his first appearance in a film production.