by He is the son of a Manchester City cult hero and was named after a club legend.
He played in Norway youth teams with Erling Haaland, whose father also played for City.
But while Haaland shot to stardom, Colin Rosler has had to take a different path to carve out his career.
“Since a young age, I’ve tried to create my own name,” he tells BBC Sport. “I’ve tried to be my own person and not rely on my dad.”
Now 25, the tough-tackling centre-back is finally stepping out of the shadows and making a name for himself.
Over the past seven months Rosler has become a league champion and a full international and, by chance, his old friend Erling was there to share both moments.
Signing for Man City was a ‘dream come true’
A hard-working striker, Uwe Rosler represented East Germany before becoming a fans’ favourite at City between 1994 and 1998.
His Norwegian wife later gave birth to two sons and such is Rosler’s connection with the club, he named them after City legends Colin Bell and Tony Book.
Colin Rosler was born in Berlin in 2000, before his father played and managed in Norway. After the family moved to England in 2010, the boys would often meet their namesakes at Etihad Stadium.
“It’s an honour to be named after such a legend at City,” says Colin Rosler.
“I’d always have a laugh about my name with Colin – and my brother with Tony Book – and it was always great to see them and hear more about the club’s history.”
Perhaps it was inevitable, but Colin “loved City from an early age” so it was a “dream come true” to earn a place in the Blues’ academy in 2010.
