Norwegian starlet Ødegaard moves to Madrid

Real Madrid CF have wrapped up the signing of 16-year-old Norway prodigy Martin Ødegaard from Strømsgodset IF.

The European title holders announced overnight that they had agreed a deal with 2013 Norwegian champions Strømsgodset for the highly-rated teenage forward, who passed a medical on Thursday morning before being presented to the media. Ødegaard will train with reserve side Real Madrid Castilla, who are coached by Zinédine Zidane, and as part of the first team when coach Carlo Ancelotti sees fit.

"I felt this was the best option, that I can develop here in the best way from a sporting and personal perspective," said Ødegaard. "I want to be the best player that I can be, and it's not important whether I'm in the first or second team. I'll be honoured if Ancelotti calls me up to play. It's an advantage that Real Madrid have a good second side that is trained by someone who was one of the world's best."

Ødegaard only made his professional debut last April yet he won the first of his three Norway caps just four months later. The attacking midfielder is the youngest player ever to feature in a UEFA European Championship match after appearing as a substitute during Norway's UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier against Bulgaria on 13 October.

His performances soon started to attract praise across Europe, not least from Madrid talisman and FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. "He is a young boy who can still grow – he's 16 years old," Ronaldo said earlier this month. "He has a good future. We must give him time to learn and to make the best decisions, but I see a lot of potential in the player."

Ødegaard's rapid rise
13/04/14: Makes Norwegian league debut for Strømsgodset
16/05/14: Scores first senior goal for Strømsgodset
16/07/14: Makes UEFA Champions League debut in qualifying
27/08/14: Makes senior Norway debut
13/10/14: Becomes youngest player in EURO history
17/12/14: Celebrates 16th birthday
21/01/15: Joins Real Madrid