Arsenal complete loan move for Real Madrid's Odegaard

Martin Odegaard will get a chance to prove himself in England.

Arsenal signed the Norwegian midfielder on loan from Real Madrid on Wednesday, the Premier League club announced.

"Martin is, of course, a player that we all know very well, and although still young, he has been playing at the top level for a while," manager Mikel Arteta said. "Martin will provide us with quality offensive options, and we're all excited to be integrating him into our plans."

The deal runs until the end of the season. Neither club said the loan terms include an option for Arsenal to buy Odegaard this summer.

Odegaard leaves Real Madrid after failing to become a first-team regular under manager Zinedine Zidane. The 22-year-old has appeared in just seven La Liga matches this season.

It's the fourth time Odegaard has been shipped out on loan since his highly anticipated arrival at Real Madrid as a 16-year-old in 2016.

Real Madrid were widely expected to give Odegaard an increased opportunity this season after prematurely recalling him from his loan spell at Real Sociedad following an impressive 2019-20 campaign. But his limited role under Zidane prompted another move away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Odegaard was apparently considering a return to Real Sociedad but opted for a move to north London to test himself in the Premier League.

The attacking midfielder provides Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with a creative weapon capable of taking some of the pressure off Emile Smith Rowe.

Odegaard becomes Arsenal's second January acquisition alongside goalkeeper Mat Ryan. He follows Dani Ceballos as the second Real Madrid player loaned to the Gunners this season.