It is easy to imagine that 16-year-old Eirik Granaas will join the World Cup with Norway in four years.
Eirik Granaas is leaving Fredrikstad – now the adventure awaits in Portugal, the big club Porto and soon the opportunity to play in the Champions League.
Norwegian football is growing well
Read: Sivert Mannsverk has convinced! Signing with new club
Fredrikstad loses its greatest talent. Now FFK confirms that 16-year-old Eirik Granaas has been sold to the Portuguese big club FC Porto
“Eirik came to FFK from Mjøndalen where he had mostly played G15 and G17 games. He immediately addressed himself both on and off the pitch in a first-team context. Eirik is not a player who was physically developed early, but he has a unique ability to learn, and a football mind that goes far beyond his own age. This is a dream for every football boy” says a clearly moved sports director in FFK Anders Jensen
The transfer comes just months after Granaas took the Eliteserien by storm. He arrived in Fredrikstad from Mjøndalen before the 2025 season, and has already racked up 13 games at the top level. Now he is swapping Østfold for Portugal – and hopes to follow in the footsteps of world stars.
Portugal, which is the host nation for the next World Cup (along with a number of other countries, including Spain and Morocco), has, like the rest of the world, opened up the islands for Norwegian football. – We get further understanding for it with how Porto chooses to introduce Eirik Granaas: “From Norway With Love”
Leaving a lot of money in the plank city: Fredrikstad claps their hands, they immediately get over 20 million euros, which can turn into over 40 million euros with bonuses, but they also lose their greatest talent.
Youngest ever – until the record was broken
In June 2025, Granaas made history. As a 15-year-old, he became the youngest elite player ever – and took the record straight from none other than national team captain Martin Ødegaard.
The record stood until this spring, when Vålerenga’s Gabriel Rajkovic made his debut at just 15 years and 20 days old. But Granaas was not stopped. Shortly after, he scored his first goal in the Eliteserien – and became the second youngest goalscorer in history.
The goal came against Ålesund, and became one of the season’s big moments for FFK supporters.
“A football head far beyond his age”
Sports director Anders Jensen has followed Granaas closely since he came from Mjøndalen, where the 16-year-old mainly played at G15 and G17 level.
– Eirik immediately addressed himself both on and off the field in a first-team context. He is not a player who was physically developed at an early age, but he has a unique ability to learn – and a football mind that extends far beyond his own age,” says Jensen.
He also extends a big thank you to FC Porto for a professional and orderly process.
“We feel confident that they will take good care of Eirik in the future. Congratulations to Eirik and his family – we look forward to following the journey ahead,” Jensen concludes.
Five caps – and two goals
Granaas has already made his mark on age-specific national teams, with five games and two goals. Now a new life awaits in Porto – a club that is known for developing young talents into world stars.
For Fredrikstad, it is a loss. For Norwegian football, it is a boost. For Eirik Granaas, it is the start of something big.
The adventure in Portugal has begun.
