Udinese sign David Alaba on a free transfer until the end of the season

Udinese have pulled off the most eye-catching signing of the Serie A season so far, announcing the arrival of David Alaba on a free transfer until the end of the campaign. The 34-year-old Austrian defender had been without a club since leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season, when his contract expired after five years in the Spanish capital.

The move instantly makes Alaba the most decorated player in Serie A. Across his career he has lifted four Champions League trophies — two with Bayern Munich and two with Real Madrid — alongside ten Bundesliga titles and two LaLiga crowns, plus a long list of domestic and international honours.

"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," Alaba said after signing. "I'm not here just to be the veteran in the team, and I'm definitely not here to end my career. I still firmly believe that I have a lot to offer on the pitch."

A statement of intent from Udinese

For a club of Udinese's stature, landing a player of Alaba's pedigree is a genuine coup. Managing director Franco Collavino called the signing "a source of great pride for the entire club", describing the new arrival as "a well-established star player, a team leader and a role model in his professionalism", and framed it as proof that Udinese are "committed to growing, competing at the highest levels and to building an ever-more ambitious squad".

The timing is significant. Udinese finished tenth last season — their first top-half finish since 2012/13 — but have started the new campaign slowly, taking just four points from their opening five matches to sit 13th in the table. Alaba has not played since captaining Austria at the World Cup, where they were knocked out in the last 32 by eventual champions Spain, so building his match sharpness will be the first task.

Alaba's versatility is the attraction. Comfortable at centre-back, left-back and in midfield, he gives coach options across the spine of the side, and his leadership should steady a squad that has struggled for consistency in the opening weeks. His first chance to impress could come after the international break, with Udinese travelling to Torino on October 12.

OneLightScore will follow Alaba's Udinese debut, every Serie A lineup and team news bulletin, plus injuries and suspensions across the featured leagues all season.