Andreas Schjelderup rejected Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in favour of joining Danish club Nordsjaelland last year, as reported by VG.
When a fresh-faced forward exploded on to the scene with a stunning brace in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Sonderjyske, it was impossible not to be reminded of another Norwegian wonderkid who took Scandinavia by storm at the age of just 16.
But, while Martin Odegaard felt the opportunity to shine in Real Madrid’s galaxy of stars was too good to turn down, Schjelderup is in no rush to take his supreme talents to Anfield, the Allianz Arena or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
According to VG, the twinkle-toed teenager underwent trials at Liverpool, Spurs, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus.
Imagine the surprise, then, when he opted to swap Bodo/Glimt for Eliteserien outfit Nordsjaelland instead.
“There have been many fine clubs and offers,” Schjelderup’s father, Jorn-Tommy, told DR.
“In total, he has visited nine clubs as part of his development, and there have been over twenty (interested in signing him).”
So far, the decision to join Nordsjaelland over the likes of Bayern, Juventus and Liverpool looks a good one.
Schjelderup is playing regularly in the Danish top flight these days, honing his fearsome potential up against battle-scarred professionals in the unforgiving world of men’s football.
And, if Schjelderup continues to produce match-winning performances for Nordsjaelland, it won’t be long before Liverpool, Tottenham and co come calling again.
“He is a very special player. He will go to the top in one of the five big leagues (in Europe),” Nordsjaelland coach Flemming Pedersen told Bold after the youngster’s match-winning display this weekend.
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