Real Madrid have this afternoon confirmed that youngster Martin Odegaard has made the move to La Liga rivals Real Sociedad on loan for the 2019/20 season.
Real prodigy
Odegaard, a 20-year-old Norwegian midfielder/attacker, has been on Real’s books since January of 2015.
After emerging as one of European football’s hottest properties in his home country with Stromsgodset over the course of the season prior, Los Blancos beat off all competition to secure the starlet’s signature for a fee of around 4 million Euro.
Incredibly, despite having made the move to the Bernabeu at the tender age of 16, Odegaard had already represented Norway at senior level, having become the youngest player in history to do so in August of 2014.
The years since, though, have subsequently seen the starlet fail to make any sort of impact in the Spanish capital.
This has resulted in a number of loan spells away from Real over the last couple of seasons.
And it was the latest of these stints, in the Eredivisie with Vitesse, that saw Odegaard finally begin to turn his unquestionable potential into consistent brilliance on the pitch.
Martin Odegaard during the Eredivisie match between Vitesse v FC Groningen (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Across 39 appearances in all competitions this past season, the Norwegian racked up 11 goals and 12 assists.
Odegaard also showcased his impressive versatility, lining out most consistently as a right winger, but also in a playmaker role and in the middle of the park.
And the 18-time capped international’s stellar form in the Netherlands certainly didn’t go unnoticed, with Odegaard having been the only player from outside of the Ajax and PSV squads to earn a place in the Eredivisie Team of the Season:
Martin Ødegaard in Eredevise’s team of the season. Only player who doesn’t belong to the top two clubs in Holland PSV – Ajax. Whata a season. pic.twitter.com/jx0N7yMT4u
— A. (@KaizerT8) May 16, 2019
Sociedad switch
Vitesse have since unsurprisingly been unable to hold onto Odegaard, with the 20-year-old having returned to Real Madrid this summer.
Reports of late, though, insisted that Los Blancos would look to move the Dane on once again, on a temporary basis, over the coming weeks.
Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad, meanwhile, were named as Odegaard’s most insistent suitors.
And, although it was previously suggested that the board at the Bernabeu were pushing the starlet towards the BayArena, where he would have been afforded the opportunity to try his hand in the Champions League next season, Odegaard himself was said to have been in favour of remaining in Spain.
And, as has since been confirmed by both Madrid and Sociedad this afternoon, the 20-year-old’s wish has been granted.
Odegaard has made the move to the Anoeta Stadium on loan for the 2019/20 campaign:
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Real Sociedad have reached an agreement with @realmadriden over the transfer of @martinio98. The player will join the club on a one-year loan. #OngiEtorriOdegaard #AurreraReala #RealSociedad 💙⚪⬇ pic.twitter.com/4zF2hAvRH3
— Real Sociedad (@RealSociedadEN) July 5, 2019
Comunicado Oficial: Odegaard.#RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F.⚽ (@realmadrid) July 5, 2019
Arsenal offering €35m for Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez- AS
Gareth Bale’s agent provides fresh update on Real Madrid star’s future
