It's been three years since Real Madrid signed Martin Odegaard and even though things haven't quite gone to plan for the 19-year-old, hope remains that he has a huge future.

He spent last season on loan at Eredivisie club Heerenveen, for whom he impressed and made 24 league appearances, scored two goals and recorded one assist.

A broken metatarsal ended the Norwegian's campaign in April, but he claims he doesn't regret a second of his loan move to the Netherlands.

"I don't regret the decision," said Odegaard. "I accept what I choose and I am happy. I knew that I would have to have patience because Real Madrid are the best team in the world."

Odegaard is the future at the Bernabeu, but it could be another few years yet before he's ready to play for Zinedine Zidane.

And it seems Real fans feel the same way after they voted recently that Odegaard should be sent out on loan again for the upcoming 2018/19 campaign.

Over 6,000 Madridistas voted in the poll and 57% said the teenager should spend another season away from the club, while 31% said he should stay and 11% said he should be sold.

STAR IN THE MAKING

But what does Odegaard think? Well, speaking to Norwegian press agency NTB, he showed how much he's matured over the past year by saying he wants to go out on loan again.

Odegaard knows he won't get much playing time at Real so he would rather spend another season elsewhere - preferably in La Liga.

"The important thing is that I join a team where I can play," he said, per Marca. "A loan to another Spanish club is a good alternative but right now I don't know much about what will happen.

"I don't know what's going to happen, but if nothing happens then I'll have pre-season with Real Madrid and it will be a good opportunity to show what I can do."

He also ruled out a potential second spell at Heerenveen, adding: "My time at Heerenveen is a closed chapter."

Odegaard knows exactly what he wants and it's good to see he's got his head screwed on, because spending next season at Real would be unproductive.