On Monday LAFC announced that the club had acquired 21-year-old Odin Thiago Holm, an attacking midfielder who hails from the same Norway Youth National Team pipeline that produced 2023 English Premier League Player of the Season Erling Haaland. Holm, who turns 22 on January 18, has arrived in LA on loan from Celtic F.C. of Scotland, and is awaiting his visa and transfer paperwork before he begins training with the defending U.S. Open Cup champions.
Born and raised in Trondheim, Norway, Holm grew up supporting local club Rosenborg BK, attending matches with friends and family. Rosenborg, founded in 1917, has won more league championships (26) than any other club in Norway’s first division (Eliteserien) and qualified for the UEFA Champions League 11 times from 1991 through 2004.
As a child, Holm idolized Lionel Messi when the current Inter Miami star was winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards with Barcelona.
Holm was also enamored with Barça midfielder Thiago Alcantara – the Italy-born Brazilian who recently retired from Liverpool and was known throughout his career by his first name. Holm officially added “Thiago” to his name as a teenager. “My parents wouldn’t let me change it until I was around 13 or 14,” he told The Daily Record of Scotland in 2023. “They thought I was crazy, of course. Initially they said no but eventually got tired of me always asking.
“What I loved about Thiago is he was so comfortable on the ball. I really liked his style.”
As a teen, Holm was courted by the academies of Liverpool, Manchester United, and Juventus.
Holm was included in The Guardian’s “Next Generation” list in 2020, which recognized “60 of the best young talents in world football.” In 2023 Holm was among the 100 nominees for the 2023 Golden Boy award, given to the best player under the age of 21 in Europe (Jude Bellingham took the honor that year).
In June 2023, Holm signed with Celtic of the Scottish Premiership – one of the oldest and most decorated clubs in the world. Upon joining Celtic, Holm said, “I’m a creative player that likes a bit of freedom to play on my instincts. The final pass, score goals, assists, I play more like a number 8, number 10 offensively.”
Last summer Holm came on in the second half of Celtic’s friendly against MLS side DC United and performed well in the Hoops’ 4-0 win, creating a chance down the right wing that was thwarted by a one-handed save from DC’s goalkeeper.
Holm grew up as an avid snow skier and he still vacations in the Alps every year.
LAFC begins its 2025 season on the road against the Colorado Rapids in Concacaf Champions Cup action on Feb.18 TV information will be announced at a later date\]. The Black & Gold then officially kick off the* *2025 MLS regular season at home against Minnesota United on Feb. 22, at 1:30 p.m. PT \[[TICKETS].
