The Europa League Final was set.
June 9th. The RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.
Aston Villa's opponent? The mighty Inter Milan.
Antonio Conte's Nerazzurri had just dumped Manchester United out of the semi-finals with a ruthless 4-2 aggregate victory, setting up a mouth-watering clash against the English champions.
But with a month to go before the European showpiece, Villa had domestic business to conclude, culminating in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea.
Having wrapped up the Premier League title with five games to spare, the remaining league fixtures were essentially a victory lap.
However, Dean Smith knew he couldn't let his players get rusty. He meticulously rotated the squad to maintain match sharpness without risking severe fatigue.
...
May 10th.
Villa Park hosted Manchester United.
Theodore Bjorn started the match like a man possessed, unleashing two spectacular, long-range guided missiles in the first half to give Villa an effortless 2-0 lead.
"Take a bow, son!" Martin Tyler cried out. "He is hitting them from different postcodes!"
Satisfied with the lead, Dean Smith hauled the teenager off at halftime, sending Douglas Luiz into the fray to kill the game.
But without their Norwegian heartbeat, Villa lost their soul.
Manchester United seized the initiative, clawing their way back with goals in the 76th and 87th minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw.
Two days later, a heavily rotated Villa side—with Theodore resting entirely—ground out a 2-0 home victory over Crystal Palace.
May 17th.
Aston Villa traveled to Goodison Park to face Everton.
Theodore played the full ninety minutes, and the Toffees were brutally subjected to his wrath.
He orchestrated a 6-0 away demolition, casually bagging another devastating hat-trick!
Then came Matchday 37. The final home game of the Premier League season at Villa Park. The opponent: Arsenal.
It was an absolute bloodbath.
Aston Villa put on a breathtaking offensive clinic, obliterating Mikel Arteta's Gunners 7-2 in front of a delirious home crowd.
Theodore Bjorn was unplayable. He scored an unbelievable five goals in a single match.
"FIVE FOR THE NORWEGIAN PHENOMENON!" Peter Drury roared from the gantry, his voice cracking with sheer disbelief.
"He is not just breaking records, he is rewriting the very fabric of English football!"
Three days later, Villa closed out their league campaign with a comfortable 2-0 away win against West Ham, with Theodore rested for the finale.
The curtain fell on the Premier League season.
Aston Villa's final record was staggering: 36 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss.
They shattered the record for the highest points total in Premier League history, finishing with an impossible 109 points.
Theodore Bjorn's individual statistics defied logic.
In 38 Premier League matches, the eighteen-year-old midfielder registered 61 goals and 35 assists!
He swept the awards, taking home the Golden Boot, Playmaker of the Season, and the undisputed Player of the Season.
The following day, Villa Park was a sea of claret and blue confetti as the team finally lifted the Premier League trophy in front of their adoring fans.
The stadium shook with the roaring celebrations.
But the players couldn't party for long as two massive finals remained.
...
June 3rd.
Wembley Stadium.
The FA Cup Final against Chelsea.
Frank Lampard had learned his lesson from previous thrashings. He deployed an ultra-defensive 3-6-1 formation, essentially parking a double-decker bus on the Wembley turf.
His only objective was to survive for 120 minutes and pray for a penalty shootout.
His masterplan lasted exactly three minutes.
Receiving the ball out wide, Theodore activated his newly acquired Gareth Bale speed.
He knocked the ball past César Azpilicueta and absolutely torched the veteran Spanish defender.
"See ya later, Cesar!" a Villa fan screamed near the touchline.
"He's left him for dead!" Clive Tyldesley shouted on commentary. "The pace is terrifying!"
Cutting violently inside the box, Theodore unleashed a rocket.
Kepa Arrizabalaga didn't even have time to blink before the ball hit the back of the net.
1-0.
The floodgates opened.
After ninety minutes, the Wembley scoreboard read 5-2.
Theodore had bagged a hat-trick and provided two assists.
Aston Villa had secured the domestic treble!
...
While the players celebrated under the Wembley arch, in the boardroom, the biggest transfer saga in the history of the sport was reaching its climax.
Real Madrid had officially come knocking.
Their opening bid was a staggering €200 million, plus a handful of highly-rated academy prospects.
Villa Sporting Director Jesús García Pitarch was tempted, but after an emergency board meeting, the club's hierarchy decided to hold out for more.
That brought Florentino Pérez to the table.
The legendary Real Madrid President took personal control of the negotiations.
He knew the Spanish giants were desperate.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, there was a massive void at the Bernabéu. The signing of Eden Hazard had been a disaster, with the Belgian struggling with weight and injuries.
Real Madrid needed a new Galáctico to anchor the next decade, and Perez was terrified of Barcelona swooping in.
Florentino slammed an offer on the table that Pitarch physically could not refuse.
€320 million.
Plus, the one-year loan rights for Marco Asensio, Luka Jović, and James Rodríguez to soften the blow for Villa's squad depth.
It was an astronomical, earth-shattering fee.
Pitarch accepted.
...
As Theodore walked out of the Wembley dressing room, his phone buzzed.
It was his agent, Jonathan.
"Theo... we did it," Jonathan breathed, his voice trembling with adrenaline. "Next season, you are going to Real Madrid."
Theodore's expression didn't change. He had known this day was coming.
"Is it completely finalized?" he asked calmly.
"Just the fine print left. The numbers are insane, Theo. They are paying Villa €320 million. For you, they are offering a €200 million signing bonus and a salary of €80 million a year. And honestly? We can probably squeeze them for more. But Florentino just wants to know: are you in?"
"I'm in," Theodore replied without hesitation. "The Premier League is conquered! It's no longer a challenge for me, It's time for the Bernabéu."
"Brilliant! I'll call Florentino right now!"
...
The very next morning, the global sports media landscape exploded.
Sky Sports News (Breaking Banner): "THE €320M MAN! Aston Villa agree world-record fee with Real Madrid for Theodore Bjorn!"
Marca: "THE NEW KING OF MADRID! Florentino secures the 18-year-old Norwegian phenomenon!"
AS: "The ultimate Galáctico arrives. Real Madrid shatter the transfer market."
Despite the FA Cup victory, there was no rest.
The squad reported to Bodymoor Heath for training ahead of the Europa League final.
Theodore, as always, arrived an hour early.
Soon after, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz walked out onto the grass. McGinn looked absolutely gutted.
"Theo, mate... tell me the news is rubbish," McGinn pleaded. "Are you actually off to Madrid?"
Theodore didn't lie to his teammates. "It's true, John. It's basically a done deal."
McGinn threw his hands in the air. "Ah, bloody hell! We're gonna go from winning the league to fighting relegation without you!"
Theodore laughed, patting the Scotsman on the back.
"Don't be dramatic, mate. You guys are incredible players. You'll still be fighting for the title. I believe in you."
As the rest of the squad trickled in, the training ground felt more like a farewell party. Everyone wanted to know the details.
Jack Grealish was the last to arrive.
He sprinted out of the dressing room, a massive grin on his face, and tackled Theodore in a hug.
"GET IN THERE, THEO!" Grealish shouted happily. "Real Madrid! Mate, that is unbelievable! I'm so buzzing for you!"
Unlike the others, Grealish wasn't sad. He knew his friend was destined for the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
"Thanks, Jack," Theodore smiled. "But when I'm gone, this is your team. You're the core now. Lead them well."
Grealish chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Come off it, Theo. I don't have half your magic."
"You will," Theodore said earnestly. "You'll be at a massive club yourself one day."
Dean Smith walked over, his face somber.
"If both of you leave, I might as well pack my bags too," the manager joked weakly.
He put a hand on Theodore's shoulder, his voice dropping to a serious, emotional register.
"Theo. The Inter Milan game is your last dance in a Villa shirt. Go out there, show the world your magic, and leave no regrets."
"I won't, boss," Theodore nodded firmly. "We're bringing that trophy home."
...
At 5:00 PM, training wrapped up.
As Theodore walked to his car, Jonathan called again.
"Theo, it's 100% done. Real Madrid have signed the paperwork. Your personal contract will be signed the day after the Europa League final. Also... the club wants to keep this under wraps until after the Inter game. They don't want to kill the morale."
Theodore scoffed softly. "Jonathan, look at Twitter. The entire planet knows! there's no secret left to hide."
He was right.
That evening, the undisputed king of transfer news dropped the hammer.
Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano): Theodore Bjorn to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! 🚨⚪️ Agreement reached between Aston Villa and Real Madrid for a world-record €320m fee. Personal terms agreed. The 18-year-old Norwegian will sign a 6-year contract after the Europa League final. Historical deal completed. ✍️✨
Twitter went into absolute meltdown.
@Madridista_X: "WE GOT HIM!!! FLORENTINO YOU ABSOLUTE GENIUS! 😭👑🤍"
@EPL_Talk: "€320 MILLION?! That's literally the GDP of a small country. Football is broken."
@VillaFanTV: "I'm heartbroken. But he gave us the greatest season in English football history and left us with €320m to rebuild. Go conquer the world, Theo. You will always be a Villan. 🦁💔"
@CR7_Legacy: "Give him the Number 7 immediately. He is the chosen one!"
The next evening, the Aston Villa squad boarded their flight to Germany.
June 9th. Matchday.
By 3:00 PM, the streets surrounding the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne were a chaotic, vibrant mix of blue-and-black Inter jerseys and claret-and-blue Villa shirts.
The atmosphere among the Villa faithful was a strange mix of cup-final fever and heavy melancholy.
They knew this was goodbye.
Thousands of fans wore Theodore's number 33.
Homemade banners dotted the crowds: "Thank You, King Theo!" and "Villa Park Will Always Be Your Home!"
Inside the stadium, the Villa ultras unfurled a massive, breathtaking Tifo behind the goal.
It depicted Theodore Bjorn striking the ball for his very first goal in an Aston Villa shirt, with the words.
"THE BOY WHO MADE US KINGS. FAREWELL, THEODORE."
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