Barcelona’s scouts were in the stands on 8 August, when Gabriel Rajkovic scored his first Eliteserien goal for Vålerenga in a 2-1 defeat to FK Bodø/Glimt. He was 15 years and 166 days old.
Manchester United’s officials came a few weeks later, watching him strike a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Sarpsborg 08. Arsenal and Chelsea have compiled scouting dossiers after tracking him through the summer, and Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan are among the other clubs credited with interest.
It was Ødegaard’s record, not Haaland’s
The record for the youngest goalscorer in Eliteserien history still belongs to Martin Ødegaard, who scored for Strømsgodset IF in May 2014 at 15 years, 4 months and 29 days. Rajkovic’s first goal came 15 days later in a young player’s life, making him the second-youngest goalscorer the league has ever had. Erling Haaland was 17 years and 16 days old when he scored his first Eliteserien goal.
The record Rajkovic did break was Ødegaard’s other one. He made his Eliteserien debut for Vålerenga on 15 March at 15 years and 20 days, becoming the youngest player ever to appear in the competition.
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The calendar Barcelona have on their side
Rajkovic turns 16 on 23 February 2027, and continental clubs will be able to sign him from that summer’s window. English clubs cannot: post-Brexit rules prevent UK-based clubs from registering non-British players under 18, which puts him out of Premier League reach until February 2029.
His contract at Vålerenga runs through December 2028. The Oslo club is reportedly seeking upwards of €18.5m, a figure that would break the Eliteserien transfer record.
Rajkovic himself has downplayed the noise.
“I’m not really interested in it. I want to be here at Vålerenga and continue my development,” he told TV2.
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He has three goals and one assist in 14 Eliteserien appearances so far this season.
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