Norwegian, Martin Odegaard has joined Arsenal on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 22-year old joins from Spanish champions Real Madrid, where he has struggled for game time this season.
Mikel Arteta has said: “It’s great that we’ve secured Martin to come to us until the end of the season. Martin is of course a player that we all know very well and although still young, he has been playing at the top level for a while. Martin will provide us with options and we’re all excited to be integrating him into out plans between now and May.”
It is likely that Odegaard will be considered a direct replacement of former Arsenal star, Mesut Ozil. Who has recently left the club, moving to Fenerbache.
Odegaard will take the number 11 shirt, previously worn by Ozil.
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The attacking midfielder began in his career in Norway with Stromsgodset, where, in 2014, he made his full debut, aged only 15.
He joined Real Madrid in January 2015, subsequently making his debut in May of that year, becoming Los Blancos’ youngest ever player.
Odegaard has had three previous loan moves, prior to his loan to Arsenal.
He has been loaned out to Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem, both in Holland. As well as Spanish side Real Sociedad, where he starred in a run to the Copa Del Rey final, also securing Europa League qualification.
Arsenal technical director Edu commented: “We are delighted to welcome Martin to the club until the end of the season. I would like to thank everyone at Real Madrid and Martin’s representatives for their collaboration in making this loan move happen.
“Martin is an exceptional talent and we are strengthening our squad by introducing an exciting offensive player to the club for the remaining months of this season.”
Upon his move to Arsenal, Odegaard said: “In Norway, the Premier League is really big. We always watched all the games. It’s always been a dream to play in the Premier League and I always liked the way Arsenal played. So it’s a dream come true in many ways.”
Will Odegaard be a success at Arsenal? Let us know!
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