Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard has ended the speculation regarding his future by officially signing for Real Madrid today (January 22, 2015). The 16 year old sensation, a target for many big European clubs, with the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City, Dortmund, Stuttgart and Bayern all interested in his signature, has moved for a reported 4 million euro fee (not disclosed by Real, but figures according to Norwegian media). He has inked a contract which will keep him at the club till 2020.
Odegaard made his senior debut for Norway as a 15 year old last season and was the youngest player to appear and score in the Norwegian Premier League last season. He has a cracking left foot and has been compared to Lionel Messi.
But is a move to Real the right move for Odegaard? Would he not be better off with a move, to say Ajax, who have a far better record of developing talent than Los Blancos?
It is very unlikely that Odegaard will play for the first team at Real. Reports have indicated that he will train with the first team, but is expected to play for their second string team (Castilla) under Zidane.
There aren’t too many youth gems to have successfully come through the Real system in the last few years. The days when the likes of Raul and Iker Casillas came through are long gone by, and fans will hoping that Odegaard doesn’t become another Sergio Canales.
How much does Martin Odegaard earn at Real Madrid/ What will be Odegaard’s salary at RM?
This isn’t confirmed, but reports say he will draw 80,000 euros a week. A tidy sum for a lad still in his teens, you’ll agree. Did it sway his decision? Probably yes, probably no. Odegaard supported Liverpool as a boy, but has said in the past that it is “all about finding the team that is best for me and for my development. That is not necessarily Liverpool”
But are Real the best for his “development”? For the youngster’s sake, we hope so, but their recent track record doesn’t fill us with confidence.
