Martin Odegaard, a Norwegian attacking midfielder who played on loan at Real Sociedad last season, will return to Real Madrid for the 20-21 campaign after the Madrid club informed Real Sociedad that they will not extend his loan for another year, Efe confirmed.
Real Sociedad received the decision with surprise, as Imanol Alguacil, Real Sociedad's coach, was counting on Odegaard to start the pre-season this Friday, August 14th, at the Anoeta facilities where the squad is called.
Odegaard's performance at Anoeta during his loan year has been that of an elite player. He scored 7 goals, provided six assists in La Liga, and was the ninth player with the most dribbles in the championship - 63 - in a table led by Leo Messi with 182.
His numbers are on par with the most outstanding players of Real Madrid. Benzema provided 8 assists, Modrid provided 7, and Odegaard provided 6 with Real Sociedad. In terms of dribbles, Odegaard ranks ninth according to La Liga's official statistics. On that path, Zidane sees Odegaard as a solution after a year where Hazard, expected to lead in one-on-one situations, could not play due to a major part of the season being injured.
Zinedine Zidane, after Real Madrid's elimination from the Champions League, exercised the option to bring Odegaard back with the aim of reinforcing the midfield, where they do not have an abundance of players, and also facing a financially complicated market due to the consequences of the coronavirus.
As announced this afternoon by the program Jugones, Zidane personally called Odegaard to inform him that he was returning to Real Madrid. The Norwegian player is currently on vacation in his hometown, Dremmen. The local press in Dremmen also announced on Tuesday that the player will not fulfill his second year on loan at Real Sociedad. EFE