David Alaba Is One Step Away From Becoming Udinese's Blockbuster Signing
After spending several months without a club following the end of his time at Madrid, David Alaba is very close to finding a new destination. The defender has reached an agreement with Udinese and is already in Italy to complete the final steps of one of the most unexpected moves of the season.
David Alaba's career is about to begin a chapter few could have imagined when he said goodbye to Real Madrid just a few months ago.
At 34, the Austria captain is very close to becoming a new Udinese player and continuing his career in Serie A.
According to Fabrizio Romano, both sides reached a verbal agreement, with only a few formal steps remaining to complete the deal.
But negotiations have already progressed even further.
Alaba traveled to Italy and is undergoing medical examinations at Villa Stuart in Rome before signing his contract with the Udine-based club.
From Winning Everything With Real Madrid to Starting Over in Italy
Alaba had been a free agent since his contract with Real Madrid expired at the end of last season.
The Spanish giants announced in May that both sides had decided to end a relationship that began in 2021, when the Austrian arrived from Bayern Munich, also as a free agent.
His time in Madrid ended with 131 appearances and 11 trophies across five seasons, including two Champions League titles, two LaLiga championships, two Club World Cups and one Copa del Rey.
However, his role decreased considerably during the final part of his time in Spain.
The serious knee injury he suffered in December 2023 marked a turning point. Different physical problems later complicated his ability to find continuity and prevented him from regaining, for extended periods, the role he had enjoyed during his first seasons at Real Madrid.
Now he will have an opportunity to start again.
Udinese Bets on Experience and Pedigree
The move is particularly striking given the player's profile.
Alaba spent practically his entire career competing for trophies with two European giants in Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Between the two clubs, he built one of the most impressive trophy collections of his generation.
ANSA credits him with 39 trophies during his career, including four Champions League titles, while his international experience also remains important for Austria, a national team he has captained.
For Udinese, adding a player with that kind of résumé would represent much more than simply bringing another center back into the squad.
The Austrian can play both as a central defender and left back, while also providing the quality on the ball that has been one of his defining characteristics throughout his career.
The biggest question will be his physical condition following the injuries that affected his final seasons in Madrid.
The Famous Chair Teased Alaba's Arrival
Udinese did not wait for the official announcement before beginning to tease the Austrian's potential arrival.
The club posted an image on social media showing a white chair placed on the pitch at the Bluenergy Stadium.
There was no need to write a name.
The reference pointed directly to Alaba and one of the most memorable images from his time at Real Madrid: the celebration following the historic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in 2022, when he lifted a chair during the celebrations at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Four years later, that image could become the introduction to a completely different adventure.
For now, official confirmation from Udinese is still pending, but the agreement is on track and the medical examinations represent one of the final hurdles before the contract is signed.
After Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, David Alaba is very close to finding in Udine the place to begin the next chapter of his career.
Key details of the Alaba signing
- David Alaba has reached an agreement to join Udinese as a free agent.
- The 34-year-old defender is already undergoing medical examinations in Rome before completing the move.
- Udinese teased his arrival with an image of the famous chair that Alaba turned into a symbol during his time at Real Madrid.
