Real Madrid have beaten off fierce competition from Europe's other top clubs to sign 16-year-old Norwegian wonderkid Martin Oedegaard from Stroemsgodset, the Spanish giants confirmed on Thursday.
The 16-year-old midfielder is one of Europe’s brightest prospects, having already represented his country three times after becoming the youngest player to play in the Norwegian Tippeligaen last year.
Several big clubs – including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester United and Ajax – were thought to be chasing Odegaard, but he has opted for a move to the Santiago Bernabeu which will cost the European champions up to a reported EU€4 million (Dh17m).
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“Real Madrid and Stromsgodset have reached an agreement for the transfer of Martin Oedegaard,” read a statement on Real’s website.
Oedegaard will undergo a medical and be formally presented in front of the media later on Thursday.
It is expected he will start his Madrid career under the orders of French legend Zinedine Zidane in the Real Madrid B team which plays in the third tier of Spanish football.
The left-footed prodigy burst into the spotlight less than a year ago when he became the youngest player to appear and score in the Norwegian Premier League, managing five goals and seven assists in 23 games.
Videos of the young player running rings around opponents have gone viral and soon came to the attention of Norway’s national team.
He made his debut in August against the UAE at 15 years and 253 days, becoming the youngest player in Norway's history.
In October, he became the youngest player ever to appear in a European Championship qualifier, coming on as a substitute in a match against Bulgaria.
"He has developed enormously in a short time. He brought down barriers that I think neither he nor anyone else imagined would fall," Norway manager Per-Mathias Hogmo told the Aftenposten daily.
“His way of playing, his talent, his ability to make choices and think, all of this is impressive,” he added.
Oedegaard is just the latest teen prodigy to be snapped up by Real. Last month 16-year-old Dutch forward Mink Peeters was signed from Ajax, whilst 18-year-old Marco Asensio has already agreed a deal to join from Mallorca at the end of the season.
Real are looking to reinforce their midfield line with Germany international Sami Khedira expected to leave Madrid in the summer having turned down a contract extension.
Madrid currently sit atop the La Liga table with 45 points, one more than Barcelona with a game in hand on their rivals.
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