'What on earth' - Fans baffled as ex-1D star Niall Horan pops up at Prem match

POP poster boy Niall Horan was at the Gtech Community Stadium to watch Manchester City beat Brentford.

The ex-One Direction star, 32, is a Derby County fan but that didn't stop him splashing out on a ticket to see Erling Haaland and Co.

4 One Direction star Niall Horan popped up at Brentford vs Man City Credit: Sky Sports

4 Girlfriend Amelia Woolley was sat alongside him Credit: Sky Sports

Horan was sat alongside fashion buyer girlfriend Amelia Woolley up in the stands.

The pair moved into a glitzy £10million pad in South West London just a few months ago.

And they are seemingly settling in by cheering on one of their local teams.

The Bees came out empty-handed, however, after failing to muster a reply to Haaland's ninth-minute opener .

Given that his loyalties lie with the Rams, many were baffled by Horan's appearance at the Gtech.

One X user wrote: "What on earth is Niall Horan doing at Brentford v City?"

Another posted: "Funny how football brings together people from completely different worlds. I wonder if he's actually enjoying the match or is just there for show."

And a third chimed in with: "Legendary! Seeing Niall Horan at the stadium is iconic."

Horan and his former One Direction bandmates called it a day nearly a decade ago.

But their long list of smash hits - along with his solo career and TV ventures - have left Horan with a personal fortune worth nearly £45million .

The Irishman was on hand to witness another smash hit on Sunday as Haaland netted yet again.

The 25-year-old has scored 18 goals in 11 games for club and country this season, catapulting City up to fifth in the Premier League table heading into the international break.

4 Erling Haaland scored the winner for Man City against Brentford Credit: Reuters

4 Horan made a fortune with his One Direction bandmates Credit: Alamy