The Real Madrid academy graduate who has won the league in Norway

Spain-born Belgian goalkeeper Alex Craninx appears to have finally settled at a club, having arrived at Norwegian side Molde via Cartagena, Sparta Rotterdam and Real Madrid's youth teams.

Craninx arrived at Real Madrid in 2011, with his tall frame at a tender 15 years of age setting him apart from the outset.

It all seemed rosy until he was promoted to the Castilla squad, the last port of call before Real Madrid's senior squad.

It was there that his game time seriously diminished.

"After I left the Real Madrid C team I disappeared," he revealed to MARCA.

"I went straight to Castilla when I was not going to have the opportunity to play.

"I started as a substitute, the following year too.

"My progression ground to a halt.

"I was an international with Belgium and I was valued, but the uncertainty and lack of game time got to me.

"In two years I played three games.

"It killed me psychologically.

"What people want is to see you play.

"Training is one thing, but nothing beats playing."

It was for this reason that the youngster decided that he would have to seek pastures new.

"At Real Madrid you are in a bubble," he explained.

"I arrived there aged 15 and I left at 21.

"I became an adult there.

"What you have at Real Madrid you have nowhere else, in terms of the facilities, the professionalism.

"And when you leave you realise it is not the same elsewhere.

"This is the reality, but you learn from everything"

Craninx's subsequent spells at Cartagena and Sparta Rotterdam proved to be frustrating, but then came Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Molde, who he signed for in 2018.

It was initially to provide backup to Swedish stopper Andreas Linde, but he has now made the role his own and even won the league.

"I have matured a lot over the past year, as I am calmer and more patient and I have made the most of the opportunity." the Belgian said.

The goalkeeper has two years left on his contract with Molde, and has aspirations to play at an even higher level.

"It would be very nice to play in the Champions League group stages, but let's see if I can have a leading role in the team this time next year," he said.

"If I don't then I will look for a team where I can be a starter once again and continue the progress that I've had this year.

"I don't care about the country, as long as it is a competitive league and a professional team that is committed to me."

Craninx's ambitions also extended to playing for his country.

"I have a dream of reaching the pinnacle and playing for Belgium," he said.

"I know it is quite a big step, but I am 24 years old and things in football can change quickly so why not?"

Indeed, it seems that Craninx's story could prove inspirational to players who have left clubs like Real Madrid, especially if they are willing to push themselves out of their comfort zones in foreign lands.