Udinese have secured a major transfer coup by completing the signing of former Real Madrid defender David Alaba on a free transfer. The 34-year-old Austrian international had been without a club since his contract at the Santiago Bernabéu expired on July 1, 2026, ending a five-year spell in Spain. He has now committed his future to the Serie A outfit, signing an official contract that keeps him at the club until June 30, 2027. After completing his mandatory medical tests in Udine, Alaba traveled directly to the club’s training ground to finalize the move, offering an immediate lift to a side looking to improve their domestic form.
Alaba arrives in Italy carrying one of the most decorated profiles in modern European football. A four-time UEFA Champions League winner—lifting the trophy twice with Bayern Munich and twice with Real Madrid—the defender amassed 11 major trophies during his five seasons in Madrid, including two La Liga titles and two FIFA Club World Cups. On the international stage, Alaba has accumulated 117 caps and 15 goals for Austria. While a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in December 2023 required surgical intervention and ultimately limited his match minutes during his final years in Spain, his wealth of high-level experience is expected to transform Udinese’s backline.
Udinese won the race for Alaba’s signature amidst widespread global interest, successfully fending off competing inquiries from Inter Miami, Lazio, Hamburger SV, and Union Berlin. The Austrian’s decision to join Udinese comes at a crucial moment for the club, who have picked up just four points from their opening five matches of the new Serie A campaign. Although Udinese earned a 10th-place finish last season—marking their first top-half finish since the 2012/13 season—they haven’t competed in European football for 13 years, making Alaba’s winning mentality a vital addition to the dressing room.
Udinese General Manager Franco Collavino voiced immense satisfaction following the completion of the deal, noting that welcoming an established champion, leader, and exemplary professional illustrates the club’s commitment to building an increasingly ambitious squad capable of competing at the highest level. Addressing his expectations for this new chapter in Italy, Alaba brushed aside any notion that he is seeking an easy conclusion to his playing days. The veteran defender stated firmly that he hasn’t come to wind down his career, adding that he remains deeply ambitious and firmly believes in what he can still produce on the pitch.
