Arsenal confirm £30m return of Odegaard from Real Madrid

News Desk
Martin Odegaard Arsenal

Premier League side Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.

The Norway international spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates Stadium, scoring two goals in 20 appearances for the north London club.

And he has secured a return to the Premier League club after signing a five-year deal, with the Daily Mail claiming the fee is £30million.


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The 22-year-old becomes the Gunners’ fourth summer signing after the arrivals Ben White, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Odegaard joined Madrid as a 16-year-old in January 2015 from Stromsgodset in his homeland and later spent two seasons on loan at Heerenveen, before temporary stints with Vitesse Arnhem, Real Sociedad and Arsenal.

He will not be available for the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s side look to bounce back from the opening day defeat to Brentford.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal player Perry Groves recently accused Odegaard of having similar shortcomings to that of Mesut Ozil.

“When I watched him play I could tell he had a lot of talent but he reminded me of a younger version of Mesut Ozil because he didn’t get a grip of the game enough,” he told talkSPORT.

“Ozil had so much talent and when he fancied it, he was one of the best players in the Premier League.

“He didn’t do it on a regular basis and didn’t dominate the way he should.

“If you’re playing in the number ten role you’ve got to do better from Odegaard’s point of view than one goal and one assist.

“You’ve got to contribute more in a side that usually dominates possession. Emile Smith Rowe can play in that position as well and he’ll give you more on the ball and off it – so it didn’t surprise me at all.”