Thursday 22 January 2015 17:34, UK
Norweigan teenager Martin Odegaard says joining Real Madrid is a ‘dream come true’ and he cannot wait to start training with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
The highly-rated 16-year-old was unveiled as a Madrid player on Thursday afternoon after completing his move from Stromsgodset.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV, he said: “It's a dream come true. It's incredible. It's an honour to join the best club in the world.
“I'm very enthusiastic and can't wait to start training. All the players have a lot of class. There is Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world, I like Gareth Bale too and Isco, I could name all of them."
All the players have a lot of class. There is Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world, I like Gareth Bale too and Isco, I could name all of them.
Odegaard visited many of the top clubs in Europe over the past few months before deciding upon Madrid and signing a six-year deal with Los Blancos.
"My reason is that this move gives me the best possibility to develop as a player and it offers me the best conditions in my personal life," he said.
"My aim is to become the best player possible. I saw Real as the best option and the club welcomed me in the best possible way. I felt right at home."
Odegaard will have a familiar face with him in the Spanish capital as his father, Hans Erik Odegaard, will be working with Real Madrid’s youth teams.
The attacking midfielder is expected to play most of his games for the club’s second team to start with, but will train with the star-studded first team.
"I don't feel the pressure but it's different to play for Real Madrid than for Stromsgodset," he said. "I will try and enjoy this dream as much as possible. The past year has been incredible, it has all happened much quicker than I expected. This year hasn't started bad either."
Real Madrid’s institutional director Emilio Butragueno labelled Odegaard an ‘extraordinary talent’ and told him: “We are honoured to have you here. We will do everything for you to be happy at Madrid so you are able to develop your talent here. We have no doubt you will be successful at Real."
