Norwegian confirmed as Los Blancos new boy.
Norwegian teenage sensation Martin Odegaard has finally chosen his new club and has been confirmed as a Real Madrid player.
SEE MORE:
Real Madrid Agree Deal To Sign 16-Year-Old Wonderkid Martin Odegaard
Eight Wonderkids Martin Odegaard Will Not Want To Copy At Real Madrid, Including Arsenal Flops
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Martin Odegaard – Real Madrid’s 16 Year Old Wonderkid
His almost world tour of clubs has seen him finally sign for Los Blancos and make his next step in the world of football in Spain.
In doing so the teenager follows a host of similar moves from youngsters to the big boys in the hope of making a name for themselves.
We look at eight other starlets who have transferred to major clubs at a young age in the hope of kickstarting a world class career.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Sporting Lison > Manchester United
Back in his awkward, teenage phase, an 18 year old Ronaldo signed for Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon with much promise and pomp for £12.24 million.
At the Red Devils he developed into one of Europe’s best, winning the Balon d’Or for the first time before taking the next step to Real Madrid and becoming arguably the world’s best.
Cesc Fabregas – Barcelona > Arsenal
Cesc Fabregas’s capture has to be one of Arsene Wenger’s biggest transfer coups and the Arsenal boss certainly had his assumptions about the Spaniard’s untapped potential correct.
He signed for the Gunners at just 16 years of age and for a paltry fee, and whilst it took him a season to develop into his role it was obvious Fabregas was a crown jewel, eventually displacing the great Patrick Vieira.
Marquinhos – AS Roma > Paris Saint Germain
The young Brazilian centre back impressed in his one season at Roma before big spenders PSG came calling and snapped up the 19 year old for a fee of €31.4 million.
Marquinhos hasn’t seemingly let his price-tag get to his ego, forming a solid wall at the back when in the side and putting in impressive displays with Brazil teammate David Luiz.
Paul Pogba – Manchester United > Juventus
How United will wish they kept hold of Pogba now. Whilst his ability was never in question his mentality was after deciding to quit Old Trafford rather than fight for his place after being unable to acquire much wanted game time.
Pogba signed for Juventus at 19 but looks just as composed and reliable as midfield counterpart Andrea Pirlo and is well on his way to becoming one of the world’s greatest talents in the middle.
Theo Walcott – Southampton > Arsenal
Walcott’s move to Arsenal may be a controversial pick for some given the 25 year old’s reputation as inconsistent, but whilst that may have been true of the forward’s younger years, the Arsenal man has developed into one of his side’s most lethal attackers.
His expensive transfer from Southampton might have brought with it expectations that Walcott struggled to achieve, but over the years the striker is now one of the Gunners’ most potent attacking threats.
Raphael Varane – Lens > Real Madrid
Just one season with Lens and the Frenchman was on the radar of the Spanish giants. 18 years old at the time, Varane’s move came with a sense of expectations given the serious outlay Madrid had given for an unproven defender.
But Los Blancos seem to have certainly uncovered a gem that not many in Europe knew about and snapped him up for a paltry figure considering what a force he has and could yet further become.
Gareth Bale – Southampton > Tottenham Hotspur
Well before his world record breaking transfer to Real Madrid, Gareth Bale was also causing a stir as a youngster, signing for Spurs at just 17 years of age for a total cost of £7 million.
Bale didn’t exactly sparkle, indeed it was rumoured Harry Redknapp was close to selling him to Birmingham City and the Welshman was considered a flop.
Yet after moving into midfield having arrived as an attacking left back, the Wales international found his calling in the front three, using his blistering pace and aggression to become one of the deadliest forwards in Europe and forging a reputation on the continent through his Champions League appearances.
His development has since seen him transfer to Real Madrid and wrought numerous trophies and successes since.
Wayne Rooney – Everton > Manchester United
At the time it was the highest fee ever paid for a player under 20 years old with Rooney, an 18 year old at the time, leaving Goodison Park for a £25.6 million move to Old Trafford.
But you’d have to say it was definitely money well spent with the crucial goals and appearances Rooney has clocked over the years and the successes he has wrought.
Whether Odegaard will be able to emulate any of these stars is definitely up for question with Real having a host of adept and successful players already established in his favoured position.