MADRID, January 22 (Sputnik) - Spanish football club Real Madrid on Thursday signed Martin Odegaard, a prominent 16-year old football player from Norway.
The press-conference got underway with an hour delay, right after the new Real Madrid player passed his physical examination.
A Real Madrid singing isn't official until we get a topless thumbs up pic from the medical. Here's Martin Odegaard... pic.twitter.com/yDQHhRfG4L
— Ryan Bailey (@RyanJayBailey) 22 января 2015
Emilio Butragueño, the vice-president of Real Madrid, opened the press-conference, saying that he is "very glad to have Martin" in the club.
Journalists present at the conference describe the young footballer as "shy".
"The reason why I signed with this club is that this is the best club where I can develop [my skills]," – Odegaard commented on his choice of club. "My goal is to become a better player."
He then thanked his previous coaches, adding that he has been training intensively and calling that the reason he managed to become a Real Madrid player. Odegaard did not comment on his fee, but the Spanish media had previously reported that the club is ready to pay around $3.4 million.
The press-conference ended with Odegaard receiving his personal sport wear with his name on it but without a number. He commented that he is going to play for various teams, and therefore he will not receive a squad number between 1 and 25.
