Ex-Real Madrid David Alaba joins Udinese on one‑year deal
Ex-Real Madrid David Alaba has signed for Udinese, the Italian Serie A side announced on Thursday. The 34‑year‑old Austrian defender, free on the market after his contract with Real Madrid expired, agreed a one‑year deal to revive his career in Italy.
Career highlights and honours
Alaba arrived at Real Madrid in 2021 after leaving Bayern Munich, where he had spent more than a decade. During his spell in Spain he added two Champions League trophies, two Club World Cups, two European Super Cups, two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups to his résumé.
Before his Madrid spell, Alaba spent eleven seasons at Bayern Munich, where he was deployed as a centre‑back and left‑back and helped the club secure numerous Bundesliga titles and domestic cups.
In recent seasons the Austrian has struggled with recurring injuries that have limited his playing time. Before joining Udinese he was linked with a move to Mexico, but no contract materialised. He featured for Austria at the 2026 World Cup and now seeks regular minutes in Serie A.
Udinese signs Alaba until 2027: Austrian defender on €2 million a year
Udinese’s announcement and expectations
Udinese revealed the signing on its official channels, posting a photo of a white chair on a pitch – a nod to Alaba’s famous celebration after Real Madrid’s comeback against Paris Saint‑Germain in the 2022 Champions League round of 16. The club expects his experience and leadership to strengthen a defence that aims to improve this season.
The one‑year contract runs until June 2027, giving Udinese flexibility while offering Alaba a platform to rebuild his match rhythm after the World Cup.
The news first appeared on Gazeta Esportiva, with the outlet’s Canal da Gazeta Esportiva sharing the story on YouTube. Followers were urged to Siga the Gazeta Esportiva Instagram page and to join its WhatsApp channel for further updates.
Udinese banks on Alaba to revive the Bianconeri in Serie A
Alaba’s arrival is one of Udinese’s key moves for the campaign, signalling the club’s intent to blend veteran quality with its existing squad.