Udine (Italy), Sep 24 (AP) Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has joined mid-tier Italian club Udinese as a free agent until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old Alaba left Madrid at the end of last season when his contract expired after five years with the Spanish giants, where he won two Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles.
Alaba also won two Champions League trophies as well as 10 Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich, plus numerous other domestic, continental and intercontinental honors.
The Austria international becomes the most decorated player in Serie A.
“I’ve experienced many things and I’ve won a lot throughout my career, but there’s one thing that has never changed: I want to keep winning. I want to continue competing. And I still want to accomplish something special. This is the mentality I’m bringing to Udinese,” Alaba said on Thursday. “I’m not here just to be the veteran in the team, and I’m definitely not here to end my career. I am still too ambitious to do that and I still firmly believe that I have a lot to offer on the pitch. I want to keep pushing, perform at the highest levels in Serie A week after week and achieve something.
Udinese, which finished 10th last season, is currently 13th in Serie A with just four points from its opening five matches.
Its next match is at Torino on Oct. 12, after the international break.
“Signing David Alaba is a source of great pride for the entire club,” Udinese managing director Franco Collavino said. “Our new player is a well-established star player, a team leader and a role model in his professionalism.
“His signing shows that Udinese is committed to growing, competing at the highest levels and to building an ever-more ambitious squad.
(PTI News)
