Martin Odegaard’s childhood dream won’t dictate his next move — even though he’s still in that formative stage.
Odegaard, 15, is one of the hottest prospects in the soccer world, and many of Europe’s leading clubs are pursuing him. Odegaard revealed Liverpool as his “dream club” Tuesday, according to the Liverpool Echo, but that doesn’t mean he’ll run to the Reds in the coming months or years.
“Liverpool have always been my dream club,” Odegaard reportedly told German newspaper Sport Bild. “But I will not let this affect my decision when I choose a new club. It’s all about finding the team that is best for me and for my development. That is not necessarily Liverpool.
Odegaard currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Stromsgodset in Norway’s Tippeligaen (first division). After a successful rookie season in which he scored five goals in 23 games, he debuted for Norway’s senior national team last month, becoming the youngest-ever player to play in a UEFA European Championship qualifier (age 15 years 300 days).
Odegaard already has practiced with the youth teams of German clubs Bayern Munich and Stuttgart. He also has visited Spanish giant Real Madrid. Dutch club Ajax and Manchester United reportedly made transfer offers for Odegaard, and he will have a week-long tryout with Liverpool next month, according to the Mail and Metro.
While Odegaard enjoys the attention other clubs are showing him, he might not be ready to leave home in order to realize his soccer goals just yet.
“I haven’t really thought about my future yet. I will end the season here and then visit a number of clubs. I have not made a final decision yet, though,” Odegaard said. “Of course, it’s flattering when you hear that big clubs are after you, but I don’t think about it too often.”
Should Odegaard choose to join a club other than Liverpool, there will be plenty of time for him to try his luck at Anfield. After all, his professional career could last another 20 years or more.
Photo via Twitter/@Metro_Sport
