The future of Real Madrid was officially unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday as 16-year-old prodigy Martin Odegaard spoke to the media in the Ciudad Real Madrid press room.
Real Madrid completed the signing of Odegaard from Stromsgodset on Wednesday. Upon arriving at his new club, the teenager spoke of the move and detailed his reasons for choosing the reigning European champions amid interest from a number of prestigious teams.
"It's an honour and a dream come true," Odegaard said. "The reason I chose Real Madrid is because this team has the best conditions, both in sporting terms to develop as a player, and off the field to develop as a person. It's the best option for me. For me it's incredible I'm ready for team like this one.
"My goal is to become the best player possible. It isn't important if I play in the first or second team. It's a major advantage having a second team of a really high level and with a coach who was one of the best players in the world, and it was also important in my decision. It'll be a combination. I'm going to train with the first team and the second team. If Ancelotti wants to use me in the first team I'll be delighted and, if not, I'll also be delighted to be playing for Castilla."
Odegaard attracted interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and others, and he'll reportedly play matches with Real Madrid's B side for the remainder of the season.
