Vålerenga Fotball Hub
Vålerenga Fotball has signed 14-year-old Gabriel Rajkovic. He will join the first team and be part of Vålerenga's A-team this season.
What happened?
Gabriel Rajkovic comes from KFUM Oslo, where he has played for ten months. Before that, he played for Nordstrand. Rajkovic is 185 centimeters tall and has been sought after by several clubs, including Inter and Benfica.
Why is this important for Vålerenga Fotball?
Vålerenga's sports director, Joacim Jonsson, says that Rajkovic is a unique talent and that this is the reason they have signed him. Jonsson also says that it is important to give young players the opportunity to develop.
What comes next?
Rajkovic cannot play matches in the Eliteserien until he turns 15, but he can train with the A-team. Vålerenga plans to sign a professional contract with him in February, when he turns 15.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February | Vålerenga signs professional contract with Rajkovic |
Vålerenga Fotball has also had dialogue with KFUM Oslo about the transfer. Joacim Jonsson says that they have had some dialogue at the end, but that there has been no dialogue over time.
Is this a trend?
The leader of talent development in the Norwegian Football Association, Håkon Grøttland, says that the trend is clear internationally. More teenagers are getting playing time in the English Premier League this season and last season than they have in the last 25 years. Grøttland believes that this will become more common in Norwegian top football as well.
