Udine has turned to one of European football’s most decorated defenders, with David Alaba joining Udinese on a one-year contract after the Austrian brought his five-season spell at Real Madrid to an end.
The 34-year-old arrives as a free agent, taking a route from Madrid to Friuli after a career spent at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Udinese described Alaba as a player of outstanding technical ability, leadership and tactical flexibility, qualities built across years at the top of the continental game.
Before the move was confirmed on Thursday, the Italian club had already offered a pointed clue. A photograph of a folding chair placed on a pitch appeared on its social channels on Wednesday, recalling the image that followed Real Madrid’s 2022 Champions League semi-final win over Manchester City.
Alaba’s celebration with a chair on his head became one of the defining images of Madrid’s celebrated comeback run to the European title that season.
A decorated departure from Madrid
Alaba joined Real Madrid in 2021 from Bayern Munich and went on to make 132 appearances for the Spanish side, scoring five goals. During his time at the Santiago Bernabéu, he collected 11 trophies.
- Two Champions League titles
- Two FIFA Club World Cups
- Two UEFA Super Cups
- Two Spanish league titles
- One Copa del Rey
- Two Spanish Super Cups
His arrival gives Udinese a defender with substantial experience in major European occasions as the club begins a new chapter in Serie A.
From Vienna to Italy
Alaba began in Austria Vienna’s academy before Bayern Munich signed him at the age of 16. His years in Bavaria brought another remarkable haul, including two Champions League crowns, two Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and 10 Bundesliga titles.
He has represented Austria since he was 17 and has accumulated more than 100 senior international appearances. Italy now becomes the next country in a career that has already taken him from Vienna to Munich and Madrid.
“I have had many experiences and won a great deal in my career, but my desire remains the same: to keep winning, to keep competing and to achieve something special again,” Alaba said. “That is the mentality I am bringing to Udinese.”
