Odegaard looking ahead

Oslo - Norwegian football teen talent Martin Odegaard said on Monday he was looking forward to new challenges with Real Madrid and thanked his former Norwegian side for a "great adventure."

"I am not the kind of guy who is satisfied with where I am at now, I want to improve and will not just sit back," the 16-year-old said at a send-off news conference organized by his former Norwegian club Stromsgodset.

The promising midfielder is initially set to play for Castilla - Real's reserve side - coached by football great Zinedine Zidane.

During 2014, he chalked up a string of feats including becoming the youngest player to play in the Norwegian league and in a European Championship qualifier.

Odegaard declined to say when he opted for Real Madrid. Last week he signed a three-and-a-half year contract.

"It was a process where I visited several clubs, which was reported. A decision was made after that," he said.

Odegaard said money had not been a deciding factor in his decision, and deflected questions about his future salary.

Odegaard flies later this week to Madrid with his father, Hans Erik.

At the weekend, Odegaard said he had trained a little, spent time with family and friends, and had said farewell to his teammates at Stromsgodset.