The Portuguese newspaper A BOLA has spoken to Fredrikstad’s sporting director about Eirik Granaas – the 16-year-old sensation who is now ready for FC Porto. The story of a rare talent, with the head of a senior in the body of a teenager.
Gradually, from surprise to confirmation, Eirik Granaas’ name has stuck with Porto fans. The 16-year-old is only the second Norwegian in the club’s history – 100 years after Fridolf Resberg, who was actually a diplomat. He is the second youngest player to ever compete in the Eliteserien, at just 15 years and 90 days old. Now he is ready for the blue and white – first for the B team, but with a view from Farioli and the professional structure of Porto close by.
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A BOLA writes they traveled to Norway to talk to Anders Jensen, sports director in Fredrikstad, about the boy who has taken the whole of Portugal by storm. (I think it was a phone call at best)
“He is mature far beyond his age”
Jensen emphasizes that age is almost a detail.
“They want to find a very mature, very intelligent and smart player,” he says.
Granaas plays with the same personality regardless of level, Jensen assures.
“He wants to play his own football with his own character, no matter what level he plays at. He is a midfielder who wants the ball, who takes over the game, drives forward, decides – and yet never disconnects from the team. He is an excellent team player.
The physique is still not impressive. And it is precisely there that Jensen sees what is special.
“He’s not yet the best physically. That’s where I think the most impressive thing about Eirik is – because he’s not the best physically, but in his head he’s way past his age.
From “mascot” to respected teammate
Jensen saw Granaas for the first time when he was 13 years old. Even then, he was the same player who would later shine in the Eliteserien.
In his previous club, Mjøndalen, he played for the U17 team. But Fredrikstad did not wait. They signed him and took him straight to the first team’s training camp – when he was 14 years old.
“In the beginning, the players saw him as a ‘mascot’. It was enough to see him with the ball to change the conversation: “Wow, this boy can play!”
From then on, everything accelerated. He trained more often with the senior team, made his debut in a friendly match in the winter of 2025, and from March-April last year everything happened very quickly.
“He stayed in the first team because the coaches and players respected him. He responded in training and in matches. On his debut, he became the youngest ever in the Eliteserien – breaking Martin Ødegaard’s record. He played in the Europa League qualifier against Midtjylland and scored against Aalesund.
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Jensen summarizes:
“It’s not normal. Many have qualities or physique, but not everyone has the mentality to walk into a senior locker room and be respected. That’s the difference with Eirik.
“He will adapt well to a new environment”
The transition is big – from Norwegian teenager to young professional in a new country, with a new language and a whole new pressure. Nevertheless, Jensen is calm.
“If it was another young player, you might think: ‘Is he ready?’ But with Eirik, I’m very calm. He will adapt well to a new environment.
The secret? To continue to trust himself, listen to good advice from people around him, and benefit from the fact that he has great teachers and coaches at FC Porto.
“Learning a new culture will only add to his experience. If everything goes as expected, it could also be a very good success at FC Porto.
The dream: Norway in the 2030 World Cup – at Dragão
On the horizon lies the biggest dream: to see Granaas on Norway’s national team, perhaps as early as the 2030 World Cup – which will play matches at the Estádio do Dragão.
“Nothing would make me as proud as to see him in Norway’s national team shirt,” Jensen admits.
He says that Granaas is “extremely proud” every time he represents the country.
Soon, he will wear the blue and white shirt of FC Porto. But the message Jensen leaves behind for Portugal is simple:
A rare talent arrives. With the head of a senior – in the body of a teenager.
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