Overview
- The club officially unveiled David Alaba on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, after quiet negotiations that the directors said lasted about three weeks.
- Alaba arrived in Friuli as a free agent following five seasons at Real Madrid and has already been training with the first team, which he says makes him fit and ready to play.
- The 34-year-old framed his primary position as central defender while noting he can also operate as a left 'braccetto' and that final selection will be made by coach Kosta Runjaic with medical staff input.
- Alaba asked to act as a senior presence in the dressing room, saying he will take responsibility as a 'big brother' to younger players and cited advice from peers such as Luka Modric, Franck Ribéry and Marko Arnautović.
- Udinese executives described the deal as an opportunistic move that signals a change in transfer approach for the club and stops short of disclosing contract length or financial terms.