Granaas breaks Ødegaard record | OneFootball

Eirik Julius Granaas has become the youngest player in Eliteserien history, debuting for Fredrikstad at 15 years and 90 days, surpassing the previous record set by Martin Ødegaard, who was 27 days older when he made his first appearance for Strømsgodset in 2014.

Granaas, who joined Fredrikstad from Mjøndalen earlier this year and signed his first professional contract less than three months ago, was introduced late in a 3–0 defeat to Viking.

“It’s really fun. I’m very grateful to get the chance,” he told VG.

Team-mates have been quick to praise the teenager’s maturity and mentality.

“He’s got fantastic ability, but it’s his mindset that impresses me most,” said Simen Rafn, who made way for the debutant. “He was with us at training camp as a 14-year-old, and he comes in and takes the locker room from the first day.”

Despite the inevitable comparisons to Ødegaard, Granaas was quick to temper expectations, stating, “It is of course fun, but I think I should not compare myself to him. He is an incredibly good footballer. I’m just going to be the best I can be for myself, and try to get as far as I can.”

Rafn added, “Ødegaard is a fantastic player. Eirik is very young. You can say an incredible amount of nice things about Eirik, but I think we should give him time.

“A football career is incredibly long. It’s not about how good you are when you’re 15. Eirik will be at the top in 10–15 years. As long as he trains hard and has his feet on the ground, he can get as far as he wants.”

Fredrikstad’s result extended their winless run, but Granaas’s emergence offers a rare bright spot.