The summer transfer window may be closed, but free agents continue to make the news for completing moves to new teams. Former Real Madrid ace David Alaba has completed a shock move to Serie A side Udinese.
The Austria international will spend the next year in Udine, having signed a one-year deal with the Serie A outfit. The 34-year-old joins to bolster a backline that has let in 11 goals in five league games this season.
A four-time UEFA Champions League winner, Alaba becomes the most decorated player in the Italian top-flight, marking a major coup for Udinese.
Why Did Udinese Sign David Alaba?
Udinese have pulled off one of the most remarkable transfer coups of the season by capturing Austrian national team captain David Alaba on a free transfer following the end of his five-year stint at Real Madrid.
The versatile defender won two La Liga titles and a UEFA Champions League crown in his time at the Bernabeu, which was ravaged by injuries.
He arrives in Udine as a high-calibre free agent, joining a side that sits in 13th place in the Serie A standings after five rounds of games.
Alaba left Real Madrid at the end of the 2025-26 season, having played just 16 times all season, and started in all four games for Austria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He went under the radar throughout the summer, before Fabrizio Romano reported that he was in talks to join Udinese earlier this week.
He underwent medical examinations in Friuli before putting pen to paper on a one-year deal until June 2027.
Speaking after the signing was completed, he revealed that he wishes to build on the success he has achieved in his career so far.
“I’ve had a lot of different experiences and I’ve won a lot during my career, but one thing hasn’t changed: I want to compete and win again. I still want to achieve something special and that is the mentality I will bring to Udinese," he said via Football Italia.
What David Alaba Brings to Udinese
Udinese have shown ambition by signing David Alaba, whose glittering CV speaks for itself.
The Austrian won 10 Bundesliga titles and three UEFA Champions League crowns during his time at Bayern Munich before joining Real Madrid in 2021.
Beyond his trophy cabinet, Alaba brings immediate tactical solutions to Kosta Runjaic’s squad for the 2026-27 season.
Renowned for his press-resistant passing, positional awareness, and versatility, Alaba will provide elite leadership and quality, just like impressive goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
Alaba can play as a centre-back in a back four or back three due to his experience playing at left-back, and can also provide cover at left-back. He also features regularly in central midfield for Austria, and can fill that position for Udinese.
He will have learned from the success of ex-teammate Luka Modric in Italy, where the pace is generally slower and fit for older players to enjoy the final years of their careers.
