Overview
- Udinese announced Alaba as a free agent signing on Tuesday, with a contract running through June 2027 after weeks of quiet negotiations.
- Alaba said he spoke mainly with coach Kosta Runjaic and that the coach’s project was the deciding factor in choosing Udinese over other suitors.
- The 34-year-old has trained with the squad for about a week and says he feels fit and ready to play, though Runjaic and the club medical staff will decide on his selection.
- Alaba is expected to operate as a left-footed centre-back, able to play in the middle or on the left of a back three, and to provide on-field leadership and mentoring for younger teammates.
- A veteran of long spells at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Alaba had been without a club since his Real contract expired on June 30 and his arrival aims to steady Udinese’s defence as the club sits mid-table in Serie A.