Manchester City confirm signing of 18-year-old Norwegian prodigy Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg on five-year contract

Although a loan switch for the upcoming season is considered likely, there has been no final agreement with any club so far. As it stands, Nypan is expected to link up with Pep Guardiola’s senior squad for pre-season training on Monday, July 28, offering the young midfielder an early glimpse into the demands of elite-level football.

Sharing his excitement in his first interview with the club’s media team, Nypan said: “I am incredibly happy and proud to have joined Manchester City. It’s a dream for any young footballer to become part of this Club and to join such a group of world class talent.

“I am still very young with a lot to learn but the chance to be coached by Pep Guardiola, the best manager in the world, will only help me to become a better player. There is already a special connection between Norway and Manchester City through Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb, and I am very proud to have become the latest Norwegian player to have joined the club.”

Nypan made headlines in Norway for his rapid rise through the ranks. At just 15 years and 322 days old, he debuted in the Norwegian top division, becoming one of the youngest players in Eliteserien history, just over 200 days older than Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard when he made his own debut.

Since breaking into the Rosenborg first team, Nypan has gone on to make 70 senior appearances. During the 2024 season, he scored eight goals and provided six assists, becoming one of the standout performers for the Trondheim-based side.

Often likened to Odegaard due to their similar early breakthroughs and style of play, Nypan has also made significant strides at the international level. A staple in Norway’s youth system since the age of 14, he earned a call-up to the Under-21 national side at just 17, barely half a year after his Under-19 debut. He has now featured six times for the Under-21s and is widely regarded as a future senior international.

Nypan becomes City’s second midfield signing of the summer window following the acquisition of Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders. While Reijnders is expected to bolster City’s immediate midfield options, Nypan represents a long-term investment aimed at sustaining the club’s dominance for years to come. They begin their Premier League campaign against Wolves on August 16.