Martin Odegaard takes part in first Real Madrid training session... but teen star has some catching up to do with Gareth Bale

• Martin Odegaard joined in with his first Real Madrid training session since joining the club last week
• The 16-year-old midfielder signed for the Spanish giants after attracting interest from a host of top clubs
• Odegaard signed a deal with the La Liga giants worth £40,000-a-week, but insisted his decision was a sporting one

Norway starlet Martin Odegaard was thrown straight in at the deep end during his first ever training session with the Real Madrid first team.

The 16-year-old sensation was paired up with Gareth Bale for a sprinting exercise at the club's training ground on Thursday morning.

The Wales forward was pictured speeding away from the youngster during the drill but later appeared to offer some words of encouragement for Odegaard as he was snapped with his arm around his shoulder.

Martin Odegaard and Gareth Bale set off during a sprint exercise at Real Madrid training on Thursday

The Wales forward opens up his legs as he strides away from the teenager, who joined the club last week

Bale uses his explosive power to burst away from Odegaard during the sprint exercise

Bale was spotted offering some words of encouragement to Odegaard as he put his arm around his shoulder

Bale and Odegaard walk off talking as the players prepared for their clash with Real Sociedad

The 16-year-old, who signed a £40,000 per week contract, listens on during the session on Thursday morning

Norway international Odegaard insists he signed for Real Madrid for sporting reasons, not financial

MARTIN ODEGAARD FACTFILE 

Age: 16 (D.O.B. 17/12/98)

Born: Drammen, Norway

Position: Attacking midfielder

Clubs: Stromsgodset (2014-15), Real Madrid (2015-

Appearances: 24

Goals: 5

International appearances: 3

International goals: 0 

Odegaard is expected to spend the rest of the season playing for Real Madrid's B team Castilla but will train regularly with Ancelotti and the first team players.

The Norway international signed a staggering £40,000 per week contract with the Champions League winners but insisted on Monday his decision to sign for Real was purely a sporting one.

'It [money] has not been an issue at all for me. It was not an issue in my discussions with various clubs,' Odegaard said. 'I chose what was best for me in sporting terms.'

Having visited a number of Premier League sides before deciding to switch to the Bernabeu, Odegaard is set to start his Real Madrid career in the reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla, coached by legend Zinedine Zidane.

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

'[Zidane is] one of the world's best footballers of all time.'