Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has explained his decision to join Serie A side Udinese after leaving the Spanish giants.
The 34-year-old Austria international signed for Udinese on a free transfer and has agreed to remain with the Italian club until the end of the season.
Alaba, a four-time Champions League winner, said his decision was driven by his desire to continue competing at the highest level rather than wind down his career.
In a club statement on Thursday, the Austrian was quoted as saying, “I’ve had so many experiences and won so much throughout my career, but one thing hasn’t changed, I want to win again,” Alaba said after completing the move.
“I want to compete again. And I want to achieve something special once more. That is the mindset I’m bringing to Udinese.”
Alaba had been without a club since leaving Real Madrid in the close-season. He has not played since captaining Austria at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the last 32.
Despite his decorated career, which includes two Champions League titles with Bayern and two with Real Madrid, Alaba insists he remains ambitious.
“I certainly haven’t come to wind down my career,” he said.
“I’m still too ambitious for that, and I still strongly believe in what I can do on the pitch,” he added.
Alaba noted that he wants to establish himself again in Serie A and help Udinese achieve their objectives.
“I want to keep pushing, perform at the highest level in Serie A week in and week out, and achieve something meaningful,” he said.
“I’m really excited about this challenge, and I still have a lot to prove to myself,” he stated.
Alaba brings extensive international and club experience to an Udinese side that collected four points from their opening five Serie A matches.
He has made 117 appearances for Austria, scoring 15 goals, and his arrival represents a major addition to Udinese’s squad as they seek to improve on last season’s 10th-place finish.
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