David Alaba signs with Udinese on free transfer after leaving Real Madrid

Free agent arrival in Friuli

Udinese Calcio completed the signing of free agent defender David Alaba on Thursday, securing the Austria captain on a contract running until June 30, 2027. The 34-year-old had been without a club since his five-year contract with Real Madrid expired at the end of June. Negotiations gathered pace following interest from several clubs across Europe and abroad, including Union Berlin, Club América, and his former youth side Austria Wien. Technical director Gökhan Inler assisted in finalizing the agreement after verbal terms were reached on Wednesday. Head coach Kosta Runjaic offered Alaba a central role in the squad and substantial on-pitch responsibility, convincing him to embark on his first career spell in Serie A.

I'm not coming here just to be the experienced player on the team, and I'm definitely not coming here to end my career.

Defensive reinforcements for Udinese

The signing provides immediate defensive reinforcement for an Udinese side that sits 13th in Serie A with four points from their opening five league fixtures. The Friulian club has lost three consecutive matches and conceded 11 goals without recording a single clean sheet this season. That record represents the fourth most porous defensive tally in the division, following the departure of Danish defender Thomas Kristensen to Atalanta. The club has not finished higher than tenth place in the Italian top flight over the last ten seasons. Runjaic plans to integrate the defender directly into the lineup, with a prospective debut expected against FC Torino following the international break.

Career achievements across Europe

Alaba brings extensive European pedigree to Udine, having won four Champions League trophies, ten Bundesliga championships, and two La Liga championships across his career. Between 2010 and 2021, he made 431 appearances and scored 33 goals for Bayern Munich, winning two Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, six German Cups, and five German Super Cups. During five seasons at Real Madrid from 2021 to 2026, he added nine trophies in 132 games, including a Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups. Although a left anterior cruciate ligament rupture in December 2023 sidelined him for over a year, he returned to captain Austria at the World Cup, starting all four games to reach 117 caps and 15 international goals.

His arrival demonstrates Udinese's determination to grow, compete at the highest level, and build an increasingly ambitious team.

Available free agents in the market

Alaba's move resolves one of the prominent situations in the post-deadline free agent market. Other established veterans left Real Madrid simultaneously, including 34-year-old right-back Dani Carvajal, who concluded a 13-year stay featuring six Champions League titles before links emerged to Premier League clubs. England forward Jadon Sancho also remains without a club after his five-year deal with Manchester United ended in June. Sancho had spent recent campaigns on loan with Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, reaching European finals in three consecutive seasons with three separate teams.