Who is Sverre Nypan? The midfield prodigy on the radar of Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Girona

Born and raised in Trondheim, Sverre Nypan is as local as they come. His early football journey began with Nardo FK, a small club in his hometown, before Rosenborg spotted his talent and brought him into their academy in 2022. A move that sparked a rapid rise.
By age 14, Nypan was already training with Rosenborg’s first team. At 15 years and 322 days, he became the youngest player to debut for the club, no small feat considering Rosenborg’s stature as Norway’s most successful side. Though he didn’t beat Martin Ødegaard’s Eliteserien age record, Nypan’s ascent has been equally if not more sustained. By the time he turned 18 in December 2024, he had nearly 4,000 minutes of senior top-flight football under his belt. Ødegaard had just over 2,000 at that age.

Positionally, Nypan plays primarily as a No. 8 in a 4-3-3 , a modern, versatile attacking midfielder who can drift between lines, break into the box, and contribute at both ends.
“He’s an attacking midfielder who we’re getting quite excited about in Norway,” says Lars Sivertsen, a journalist and broadcaster. “He’s a fairly typical modern attacking midfielder, who has played mostly as a No 8 in a 4-3-3, and who is very good at finding spaces. He has great close control and can play quick passes or dribble if there’s an opportunity.”
In 2024, he scored eight goals and led Rosenborg in assists with six. But it’s not just the numbers , it’s the way he gets them. A game against Kristiansund saw him receive the ball on the edge of the box, quickly spot an overlapping runner, and thread a perfectly-weighted through ball in one fluid movement. Another against Haugesund showed him wriggling through defenders with a drag-back and delivering a slide-rule pass despite heavy pressure. He’s composed, clever, and constantly scanning.
Yet, his game is still evolving. Scouts note that his dribbling can sometimes be loose, and he doesn’t always shield the ball as well as he might in more physically intense leagues. That said, his strides in strength and confidence over the last year have impressed observers. As one Premier League scout put it: “His body control isn’t there yet, but that will tighten up in time.”

What sets Nypan apart, perhaps even more than his technical skills, is his footballing maturity. For someone so young, he plays with an assuredness usually found in veterans. He reads the game well, adapts to different tempos, and doesn’t shy away from physical duels. In fact, his tackling can be a bit too enthusiastic at times, one challenge in a July 2024 game against Odd saw him thunder into an opponent and immediately launch a counter-attack.
This blend of aggression and calm decision-making is rare. Rosenborg head coach Alfred Johansson praised Nypan’s mental focus and refusal to get swept up in media hype or transfer rumors. “He focuses on enjoying and practising football every day,” Johansson told TV2. “That’s very impressive, and not everyone would manage it.”
Playing in the pressure cooker of a Rosenborg side trying to claw its way back to domestic dominance has hardened Nypan’s edge. The 2023 season was turbulent, but by 2024, he was instrumental in helping the club secure a European spot.
The Transfer Tug-of-War: Why Aston Villa Are Pushing Hard
With talent like this, it’s no surprise that Nypan has had scouts from across Europe hovering like drones over Trondheim. Arsenal, always alert to the Norwegian pipeline thanks to Ødegaard. Girona, known for their savvy recruitment, also entered the conversation. But it’s Aston Villa who now seem closest to sealing the deal.
Negotiations are ongoing, with Villa needing to agree on personal terms and a fee with Rosenborg, but there’s genuine optimism. Sources close to the club suggest Nypan is enthusiastic about the move, one that could significantly boost Villa’s midfield depth and long-term planning.
Should the deal go through, it would be a major coup for Villa, who have recently shown a willingness to bet big on youth talent with European pedigree.

The million-pound question: what’s the best path for Sverre Nypan from here?
Martin Ødegaard jumped to Real Madrid at 16 and went through a gauntlet of loans before settling at Arsenal. Erling Haaland took a more gradual route , from Bryne to Molde, then Salzburg, Dortmund, and finally, Manchester City. Both paths have their merits. Nypan, notably, shares an agent with Haaland (Rafaela Pimenta), which could influence a more step-by-step trajectory.
Whether he lands at Villa Park this summer or elsewhere, what’s clear is that Nypan is ready for the next challenge.