Skip to content
Martin Ødegaard

Football · Midfielder

Martin Ødegaard

Norwegian playmaker Martin Ødegaard captains Arsenal and Norway, orchestrating Arsenal's midfield with exceptional vision, passing accuracy, and pressing.

NorwayArsenal FC Active

Biography

Born in Drammen, Martin Ødegaard became a global sensation in 2014 when he debuted for Strømsgodset at age 15, becoming the youngest player and goalscorer in Norwegian top-flight history. In January 2015, Real Madrid won an international chase to sign him. In May 2015, he became the youngest debutant in Real Madrid's history at 16 years and 157 days, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo. After developing through loan spells in the Netherlands and a standout 2019-20 campaign with Real Sociedad where he helped win the Copa del Rey, Ødegaard joined Arsenal in January 2021, initially on loan before completing a permanent transfer. Appointed Arsenal captain ahead of the 2022-23 season by Mikel Arteta, Ødegaard emerged as one of the Premier League's elite creative midfielders. He scored 15 league goals in 2022-23 and drove Arsenal to consecutive title challenges against Manchester City, winning Arsenal's Player of the Season in both 2023 and 2024. As captain of Norway, he forms a world-class tandem with Erling Haaland.

Career timeline

  1. Strømsgodset Toppfotball

    2014 – 2015 · Youngest debutant and goalscorer in Eliteserien history at 15

  2. Real Madrid

    2015 – 2021 · Youngest debutant in Real Madrid history at 16

  3. Real Sociedad

    2019 – 2020 · Loan spell; won 2020 Copa del Rey

  4. Arsenal FC

    2021 – present · Club captain; back-to-back Arsenal Player of the Season

  5. Norway national football team

    2014 – present · National team captain; debuted at 15

Major achievements

  • Copa del Rey winner2020
  • FA Community Shield winner2023
  • Arsenal Player of the Season (2 times)2022-23, 2023-24
  • PFA Premier League Team of the Year (2 times)2022-23, 2023-24

Personal life & family

Relationship

Helene Spilling

Spouse (m. 2024)

Children

Ødegaard infant (born late 2024)

Ødegaard is married to Norwegian professional dancer and Skal vi danse champion Helene Spilling. The couple went public with their relationship in 2023 and registered their marriage in late 2024 as they welcomed their first baby together.

Sources

  1. Martin Ødegaard — Wikipedia (accessed 2 November 2026)
  2. Arsenal F.C. — Wikipedia (accessed 2 November 2026)
  3. Erling Haaland — Wikipedia (accessed 2 November 2026)