Arsenal complete Martin Odegaard signing from Real Madrid in £30m deal

The Gunners have confirmed the permanent signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid who joins for £30million following a successful spell at the club last season.

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Martin Odegaard from La Liga giants Real Madrid for a fee of around £30million.

The 22-year-old joined the Gunners in January and was a key figure for Mikel Arteta during the second half of the season, making 20 appearances during his four-month loan stint.

The Norwegian has been prioritised by the Gunners boss and Technical Director Edu as one of their top summer transfer targets and follows Ben White, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga through the door at the Emirates.

Odegaard has penned a deal that will keep him in north London until June 2026.

As well as a centre-back, high on Arteta's to-do list was to bring back Odegaard, who has been the sole priority in their midfield department since as early as June.

After learning that the youngster was available to sign permanently, Arsenal moved fast and sanctioned Joe Willock's move to Newcastle to help finance the deal.

Odegaard was omitted from Real's squad to face Alavés at the weekend, to negotiate his contract, before undergoing a medical on Wednesday.

It has been a disappointing time for Odegaard in the Spanish capital since arriving as a teenager from Stromsgodset in 2015.

11 first-team appearances is all he could muster during his six-year stay, including just one 90 minute showing.

Often deployed from the bench, the Norway international failed to register a single goal or assist for Los Blancos and leaves the Bernabeu a frustrated figure with a point to prove.

But it's clear he has the backing of his new manager and is adored by the Arsenal faithful; at just 22 years old there's still plenty of time for him to develop.