Real Madrid end Odegaard's loan stint at Sociedad

Real Sociedad thanked Martin Odegaard for "a fantastic, unforgettable year" on Wednesday after Real Madrid reneged on an agreement for the 21-year-old to play another season at Anoeta.

Odegaard's parent club prematurely ended his Sociedad loan after Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane apparently decided he needed more midfield options following last week's Champions League elimination to Manchester City.

Sociedad were shocked by Madrid's sudden change of plans following a verbal agreement that Odegaard would remain in San Sebastian for another campaign, sources told ESPN.

Odegaard was instrumental as Sociedad launched an unexpected challenge for La Liga's Champions League places, bewitching opponents with his forensic passing, nifty footwork, and athleticism. He made 31 league appearances - scoring four goals and providing six assists - in 2019-20 following a single La Liga outing over his previous four-and-a-half years on Real Madrid's books.

He spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons on loan at Dutch clubs Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem, respectively.

Odegaard told ESPN's Tom Hamilton and Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal last October that it would be best for his development if he stayed at Real Sociedad until the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

"My intention is to stay here for two years, and I think it's important for me," Odegaard said. "I've changed teams for two seasons in a row. For young players and for me, it's good to have some stability."