Heerenveen seal loan deal for Real Madrid wonderkid Odegaard

Heerenveen have confirmed that they have signed Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard on loan until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old will be unveiled by the Eredivisie side on Tuesday morning, having moved to the Dutch club in order to get more regular first team experience.

In May 2015, Odegaard became the youngest ever player to play for Real Madrid, aged just 16-years and 157-days-old.

Despite that early breakthrough, he has failed to hold down a regular spot in Zinedine Zidane's squad, and has found himself playing for the club's second-string Castilla side.

Odegaard's prodigious talent has seen him compared to some of the biggest names in world football, including Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

However, former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft felt that it was wrong to put too much pressure on the teenager, and that he should be allowed time to develop.

"Comparing Odegaard to Messi is nonsense from the media. Messi is a player who can make the difference and Martin can do the same, but any comparisons should not be taken seriously," Fjortoft told Goal .

"He should be able to develop gradually and one step at a time. He has already shown that he is ready to take on new challenges.

"Martin does not feel any extra pressure. Let's compare his situation to that of established stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Toni Kroos. They were all cheered by the media at some stage and they are role models now. 

"The footballer of the future does not only need talent, but he should also work hard, be disciplined and put in more effort than others. You have to follow your goals and stay professional."

Heerenveen are currently fourth in the Eredivisie table at the mid-season break, sitting 13 points behind leaders Feyenoord as they chase European qualification.