Martin Ødegaard
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has initiated legal proceedings against Norwegian tabloids Se og Hør and its partner outlet Dagbladet, accusing the publications of violating his and his family’s privacy by publishing sensitive information about his UK residence.The move, first reported byThe Daily Mail, marks a rare but forceful public stance from the usually private footballer.
The 26-year-old Norway international is taking action after the outlets revealed specific details about his recently purchased home in the UK, including its approximate location and photographs, information Ødegaard’s legal team argues breaches his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
The contested reports disclosed that Ødegaard and his wife, Helene Spilling, had bought a property roughly 30 kilometers northwest of London, reportedly valued at 103 million Norwegian kroner (approximately £7.7 million).
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In response, Ødegaard’s English solicitor, Tim Lowles, submitted a formal complaint to Se og Hør editor Niklas Kokkinn-Thoresen, demanding the removal of the content. “The article describes the location of our client’s recently purchased family home and includes photographs of it,” the letter stated.
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard (Image credit: Getty Images)
However, Kokkinn-Thoresen refused to comply, defending the story as being of “public interest” and maintaining that the exact address was not disclosed, an argument that has only deepened the dispute.
This legal move follows a turbulent week for Martin Ødegaard, whose June 21, 2025 wedding to Spilling at Gjerdrum Church was also overshadowed by controversy involving Se og Hør. According to The Daily Mail, the tabloid’s photographer, Andreas Fadum, was forcibly removed by private security outside the church.
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In retaliation, Se og Hør filed a police complaint, claiming the incident occurred in a public area. The Norwegian Editors’ Association backed the tabloid, calling the use of force “very serious,” while Ødegaard’s representatives accused the publication of intrusive and inappropriate behavior.
The couple, who welcomed their first child in December 2024, have long maintained a low profile, rarely sharing personal information publicly. Their wedding, attended by several Arsenal teammates including Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, was modest and intimate. Guests witnessed the couple exit the church to The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” before a reception at Oslo’s Gamle Logen, which featured performances by Norwegian artists Jonas Benyoub, Dagny, and Karpe.
Ødegaard’s decision to pursue legal action reflects growing concern among public figures over privacy and safety, particularly as reports of high-profile burglaries targeting footballers’ homes continue to rise across Europe.
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