Arsenal complete £30m Martin Odegaard transfer from Real Madrid

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on a permanent deal eight months on since he first joined on loan at the club back in January.

In a deal that could rise to £34m depending on certain add-ons, Mikel Arteta has secured his number one transfer target for the creative midfield position having been impressed with the Norwegian throughout his six-month spell.

Odegaard joins fellow additions Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White in arriving this summer and will be tasked with improving Arsenal’s chance creation and attacking balance.

Netting twice and assisting once in his 20 outings in red and white, the 22-year-old clocked up the highest xA, chances created and final third passes per 90 minutes of all his Arsenal teammates, also finishing second in the standings for possession won in the final third and passes into the penalty area.

Arsenal complete £30m Martin Odegaard transfer from Real Madrid as Mikel Arteta secures number one creative midfield target

After months of patience with Real Madrid as Edu and co waited for the Spanish side to become open to a sale and lower their asking price, they now have their man. A statement on the club website welcomed him back.

"“The Norwegian international re-joins after spending the second half of last season on loan with us, during which time he made 20 appearances, notably scoring in our Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium in March.“The attacking midfielder has also made 30 appearances for Norway, making his debut in August 2014, becoming the youngest player to represent his country’s senior national team at the age of just 15 years and 253 days.“Martin will wear our number 8 shirt.“Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Martin back to the club.“The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes and visa requirements.  Martin will not be available for Sunday’s match with Chelsea, and we await visa clearance before he will be available for selection.”"

Sadly not registered in time, Odegaard won’t be available to face European champions Chelsea on Sunday as the Gunners host Thomas Tuchel’s side in the Premier League.

It is also confirmed that he will wear the same No. 8 shirt, one he didn’t don last season, as he was expected to wear the No. 11 which is currently attributed to Lucas Torreira. Does it matter?

Not at all. Welcome back to The Arsenal, Martin!