MARTIN Odegaard has returned to Arsenal on a permanent basis after a loan spell last season, the club have announced.
The Norway midfielder had an impressive half-season at the Emirates Stadium last term, but is apparently not in the plans of Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The five-year deal is believed to be worth around €35m.
“Martin Odegaard has joined us in a permanent transfer from Real Madrid,” Arsenal stated on Friday, a day after the 22-year-old passed his medical.
“The Norwegian international re-joins after spending the second half of last season on loan with us, during which time he made 20 appearances, notably scoring in our Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium in March.”
Odegaard began his young career in Norway with Stromsgodset, where he made his debut at just 15 in April 2014, becoming the youngest-ever player to feature in Norway’s top division.
He joined Real Madrid in January 2015 and subsequently became their youngest player in May 2015.
He has had loan spells with Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands and Real Sociedad in 2019/20, where he helped the club reach the final of the Copa Del Rey.
Odegaard has also made 30 appearances for Norway, making his debut in August 2014, becoming the youngest player to represent his country’s senior national team at the age of just 15 years and 253 days.
He will wear the No.8 shirt at Arsenal.
The attacking midfielder will not be available for Sunday’s Premier League clash with London rivals Chelsea, as Arsenal await visa clearance before he can be available for selection.
