Stromsgodset’s Martin Odegaard
DPA/Oslo
Football teen Martin Odegaard has been called up for a Norway friendly at the end of August, and at age 15 could become the youngest player to have played for the Scandinavian country - if he plays.
“This is awesome, fun and a dream come true,” Odegaard said in a video interview released yesterday by the Norwegian Football Association.
He said coach Per-Mathias Hogmo’s selection came as a “surprise” but he would be very proud to play for Norway. Norway hosts the United Arab Emirates on August 27.
Odegaard, an attacking midfielder, said he hoped to be able to help Norway qualify for the European Championships. As a player he said he liked having the ball.
Hogmo said Odegaard had shown good form in the Norwegian league and even before the league started had predicted he could become Norway’s youngest international.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him in action,” Hogmo said on the association’s website.
The gifted player has attracted a lot of attention. According to his father Hans Erik, a former midfielder, at least 30 European clubs have expressed interest.
Among big sides reportedly interested in the player were Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Norwegian daily VG said.
Odegaard has no plans to leave Norwegian side Stromgodset, placed third in the Norwegian top league, until the end of the season. The player, who was born December 17, 1988, earlier this year played for Norway’s under-17 side.