Erling Haaland is making his film debut voicing a Viking

Erling Haaland is making his film debut voicing a Viking.

The Manchester City forward - who hails from Norway - stars as Natch in Viqueens, an family animated adventure-comedy that follows fearless Vikings Ingrid and Hedvig on their expedition from Norway to China.

Norwegian director Harald Zwart, 60, told The Hollywood Reporter: "As a Norwegian storyteller making a Viking adventure for a global audience, having Erling Haaland join ViQueens feels incredibly exciting.

"Erling has already become a kind of real-life Viking icon around the world - powerful, fearless, and uniquely Norwegian. Bringing him into this universe as himself gives the film an unexpected energy and authenticity that felt completely right for this story."

The signing of 25-year-old Haaland - who boasts more than 40 million Instagram followers - will boost the project on the international stage.

Solveig Langeland, managing director of Sola Media, said: "Erling Haaland transcends sports – he’s a global cultural figure.

"His involvement brings another exciting dimension to a film that already combines international adventure, humor, and emotional storytelling in a way we believe will resonate with audiences everywhere."

ViQueens will see the football star join a star-studded cast, including pop star Rita Ora, 35, and Fallout alum Ella Purnell, 29, who voice lead characters Hedvig and Ingrid, respectively.