But it’s also been “crucial”. And the 18-year-old is now determined to make the most of his “amazing opportunity” at the Riverside after joining Middlesbrough on a season-long loan move.
Nypan was just 15 when he made his senior debut for Rosenborg and went on to play 70 times before leaving for Manchester City this summer in a £12.5m move.
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The plan was always to then move out on loan this season, with Nypan’s dad, Arne, recently revealing as many as eight clubs were competing for the midfielder’s signature.
But City – who admire and respect Boro’s handling of young players – always favoured a move to the Riverside, which is understood to have instantly appealed to Nypan.
“Getting into the first team there [at City] is really difficult, so you need to play games at my age,” said Nypan, in his first interview with the club.
“Hopefully I can come to Middlesbrough and help the team as much as possible.
“I can’t wait to get into the team and get to know the players.
“I already spoke to some of them and they seem really nice guys. I’m really looking forward to being involved and will hopefully help as much as I can.
“I took this route and really believe this is the right way.
“The Championship is big in Norway. I haven’t got that used to English football yet. That’s why my loan to Middlesbrough is really nice.
“I can get used to English football, which is perfect. Hopefully I can learn as much as possible in the next year.
“I’m a pretty physical player, but mostly technical. Coming to the Championship I can hopefully show I’m a good player, especially on the ball.
“But hopefully I can learn stuff. The physical part is something I’m looking forward to. I like to run and like the duels so hopefully I can take big steps on that.”
Nypan trained with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday and is available to go straight into the squad for Saturday’s Championship game at Norwich – where he can’t wait to get his first experience of the division and Boro’s supporters.
“I’ve heard a lot about the fans and they look amazing,” he said.
“I just can’t wait to play in front of them in the stadium. I think it looks really good.
“Hopefully I can start right away to play. Hopefully I can make a debut on Saturday.
“I’m just happy to be here and hopefully can start as soon as possible and get into the team as quickly as possible.”
Nypan’s rise has been meteoric, with the midfielder admitting he’s had to very quickly learn to deal with the “hype” and “speculation” that has surrounded him in the last couple of years.
But he says the opportunity to play so much senior football so early in his career in his homeland has been pivotal.
“I was really lucky to get the chance that I got at such a young age. I took it and got more and more playing time and ended up playing two and a half seasons almost with Rosenborg,” he says.
“I’m super grateful for that. I learned a lot from playing those games at a young age. You play with none of your friends any more and the people you play against are 15 years older.
“It’s quite weird. But it was nice to get it early so you have longer to get used to it.
“I got some seasons with the first team and really enjoyed my time there. I got some good years there and now I thought it was time to move on.”
Nypan believes the Championship is the ideal league to learn as he works to adapt to English football, and noted how time in the division helped his fellow countryman Sander Berge, now at Fulham.
Nypan said: “He’s a great player. He’s taken some amazing steps in the last years. You see him on the national team, he is one of the key players.
“I think time in the Championship looked really beneficial for him, hopefully it will be the same for me.”
