Martin Odegaard, the Norwegian teenager who was touted to be the ‘next big thing’, when he signed for Real Madrid back in January 2015, is now wanted by Bundesliga team Borussia Monchengladbach.
The teenager was the youngest player to ever feature in the Tippeligaen, the Norwegian top division football league.
The 17-year-old has since continued his development at Madrid, getting regular game time with the reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla. However, according to Spanish newspaper, AS, the teenager has caught the attention of Monchengladbach’s sporting director, Max Eberl.
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Eberl has been involved with the German team since 2008, having headed the club’s youth and amateur football programmes, before taking up the position of Sporting Director.
Loan move didn’t materialise earlier because of FIFA regulations
The German club were interested in a loan move for the teenager earlier, but FIFA regulations prevent footballers under the age of 18 from joining foreign clubs on loan. That is one of the major reasons why most teenagers end up playing league football within the country of the parent club.
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Eberl showered compliments on the teenager and said that he tried to sign the youngster in the summer. “We could not convince him and his father that it would be best for him to start his professional career at our club. Where his talent could be promoted and developed and where he would have had more chances to play at the highest level.”
Rennes, the Ligue 1 side, were also interested in the teenager in the summer, as were English club Liverpool.
Made Madrid debut at 16
Odegaard, transferred to Madrid as a 15-year-old, after the teenager became the youngest debutant for Norway’s senior team when he played against the United Arab Emirates. The Norwegian was previously playing for Norwegian club, Stromsgodset and his attacking skills brought him to the notice of Europe’s top clubs even before his international debut.
The attacking midfielder has slipped down the pecking order at Madrid after making his debut against Getafe, becoming the youngest to play for Real Madrid at the age of 16 years and 157 days.
However, that was the only appearance for the senior team and since then he has been involved with the Castilla side as a regular starter. The emergence of homegrown Spanish players such as Asensio has also stymied his progress in the first team.
Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund in an away fixture on Tuesday night in the Champion’s League and will hope to continue their winning streak in the competition.
