Udinese sign former Real Madrid defender David Alaba

Former Real Madrid defender David Alaba officially signed for Serie A side Udinese on Thursday.

The 34-year-old has been a free agent since his contract with Real Madrid expired at the end of last season.

He spent five years with the LaLiga giants, winning 11 trophies including two Champions Leagues, two league titles and two FIFA Club World Cups.

"Signing David Alaba is a source of immense satisfaction for the entire club," GM Franco Collavino said in a news release. "We are welcoming an established champion, a leader and an exemplary professional. His arrival shows Udinese's determination to grow and compete at the highest level as well as build an increasingly ambitious squad."

The defender suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2023 which required surgery and his minutes became limited.

Alaba had also previously spent 13 years with German club Bayern Munich, where he won 10 Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues.

"I've had many experiences and won a lot over the course of my career, but one thing hasn't changed, I still want to win," Alaba said in the Serie A club's news release. "I still want to compete. And I still want to achieve something special. That is the mindset I'm bringing to Udinese.

"The coach [Kosta Runjaić] made it very clear what role he has in mind for me and what he wants us to achieve together. Naturally, I want to bring my experience to the dressing room, take on responsibility, and help out whenever possible, especially with the younger players.

"I'm not coming here just to be the veteran of the squad, and I certainly didn't come here to wind down my career. I'm still too ambitious for that, and I still strongly believe in what I can do on the pitch. 

"I want to keep pushing, perform at the highest level in Serie A week in and week out, and achieve something meaningful. I'm really excited about this challenge, and I still have a lot to prove to myself."

Alaba has also made 117 appearances for his country, Austria, and captained the side at the World Cup this summer.

Udinese are currently 13th in the Serie A table with four points after five games, and have lost their last three.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.