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Real Madrid have confirmed that Martin Odegaard has joined Vitesse Arnhem on a season-long loan. Odegaard moved to the Bernabeu from his native Norway at the age of 16 in January 2015 and has spent the past 18 months on loan at Heerenveen. "Real Madrid C.F. and Vitesse Arnhem have reached an agreement for the loan of Martin Odegaard for this campaign, until June 30, 2019," an official statement from Los Blancos read. Odegaard made his professional debut for Stromsgodset at the age of 14 in 2013 and made one appearance for the Real Madrid first team, which came in the final match of the 2014-15 season. Odegaard scored three goals in 38 appearances for Heerenveen last season. He will turn 20 this December. In January 2015, he earned a move to Real Madrid, where he played with their reserve side. He is still listed as a member of Real Madrid Castilla on the club's website where he is described as being "one of the brightest and most talented prospects around, who has already shone in Europe. He is the youngest player in history to appear in a European Championship qualifying match and the earliest ever debutant for the senior Norway team." The attacking midfielder was the only player left out of Julen Lopetegui's squad that travelled to the United States for the preseason, fuelling speculation that he would be loaned out for the season to continue his development. Real Madrid reportedly had plenty of offers for the player on the table but Vitesse have acquired his services for the coming season. He will be managed by former Russia national team manager, Leonid Slutsky.
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