Martin Odegaard…Photo: Arsenal.com
Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard has joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid for the rest of the season.
“Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Martin to the club,” Arsenal said in a statement on its website.
The attacking midfielder started his career in Norway with Stromsgodset, where he made his debut as a 15-year-old in April 2014, becoming the youngest-ever player to feature in the top division.
After featuring regularly in the Stromsgodset team in his first season, Odegaard was signed by Real Madrid in January 2015 and subsequently became their youngest player in May 2015.
In the three seasons from 2017/18, Martin spent loan spells with Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands and then last season back in Spain with Real Sociedad, where he helped the club reach the final of the Copa Del Rey and also qualify for the Europa League.
The 22-year-old has also made 25 appearances for Norway, making his debut in August 2014 when he became the youngest debutant for his country’s senior national team at the age of just 15 years and 253 days.
Odegaard will be wearing the number 11 jersey at Arsenal.
Arsenal technical director Edu said the club is “delighted to welcome Martin to the club until the end of the season.
“I would like to thank everyone at Real Madrid and Martin’s representatives for their collaboration in making this loan move happen. Martin is an exceptional talent and we are strengthening our squad by introducing an exciting offensive player to the club for the remaining months of this season.”
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta expressed delight over the 22-year-old’s transfer from Real Madrid.
“Martin is of course a player that we all know very well and although still young,” Arteta said. “he has been playing at the top level for a while. Martin will provide us with quality offensive options and we’re all excited to be integrating him into our plans between now and May.”