Martin Odegaard, the hottest name in European soccer, was signed up by Real Madrid on Thursday.
The 16-year-old Norwegian moved to the Spanish soccer behemoths from Stromsgodset for an original fee of $3.37 million. However, it’s believed that the money the Norwegian club could actually receive might rise to as much as $9.5 million. But that’s only if he goes on to achieve great success at the Bernabeu.
Odegaard was presented as a Real Madrid player on Thursday.
Odegaard: “It’s a dream come true to be at the biggest club in the world” http://t.co/GNjJDiEz3C #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/cgYN6ewG33
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 22, 2015
Odegaard: “I’m a player who likes to have the ball. My goal is to become the best player possible” #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/7tIpbf910k
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 22, 2015
Real Madrid also wasted no time in boasting about the prestigious talent that they have signed. Odegaard’s skill has seen him compared to FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi . They both have a deadly left foot, and despite their sleight frames, they are also known to be extraordinarily strong.
VIDEO- Watch Martin Odegaard, our 16-year-old Norwegian new player in action! http://t.co/lsPyfmttWa #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/MdXrkY9WOW
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 23, 2015
Real Madrid are adamant that they landed a real coup in Odegaard. After being unveiled by Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno, the former player was described him as “an extraordinary talent.”
Meanwhile, Odegaard explained why he picked Real Madrid over the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, and a whole host of other clubs that were allegedly interested in acquiring his services.
“The reason I chose Real Madrid is because this team has the best conditions, both in sporting terms to develop as a player, and off the field to develop as a person.”
Another deciding factor in Odegaard’s decision was probably the fact that he will now earn $120,000 a week at the tender age of 16.
Meanwhile, at the press conference where Odegaard was introduced as a Real Madrid player, it was also announced that his father, Hans Erick Odegaard, would also be joining the club as a youth coach. The 41-year was previously a professional soccer player in the Norwegian first team, and he has also been a coach for around eight years.
Martin Odegaard won’t be placed straight into the Real Madrid first team though. Odegaard will hone his skill with Real Madrid’s B team, which is coached by legendary soccer star Zinedine Zidane. However, it’s hoped that the Norwegian international will make his debut for the Real Madrid first team before the end of the current La Liga season.
[Image via Trivela ]
