Real secure signing of wonderkid Odegaard

Real Madrid have won the race to sign 16-year-old Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard – one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe.

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Norwegian teenage sensation Martin Odegaard.

The 16-year-old attacking midfielder moves to the Spanish capital from Stromsgodset in his homeland and will be presented by his new employers at a Thursday press conference.

Odegaard became the youngest player to represent Norway last year, aged 15, and a statement released on Real’s official website on Wednesday evening [local time] confirmed their much-anticipated capture of one of European football’s most sought-after talents.

The statement read: “Real Madrid C. F. and Stromsgodset Fotball have reached an agreement for the transfer of Martin Odegaard.

“After undergoing a medical exam, the player will hold a press conference with the director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueno on January 22 at 1:30pm [local time] in the Ciudad Real Madrid press room.”

Premier League trio Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal were among the clubs linked with a move for Odegaard, while Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge last month claimed he was confident the player would join the Bundesliga champions.

“We will try very hard to sign him and I think we have a good chance,” Rummenigge told Bild.

Odegaard made 23 appearances for Stromsgodset in Norway’s top flight in the 2014 season, scoring five goals.