JAKARTA - Austrian versatile player David Alaba has officially signed a contract with Real Madrid after joining as a free agent from Bayern Munich.
Alaba joined Madrid after more than a decade with the Bundesliga giants. The 28-year-old defender has agreed a five-year contract and will be formally introduced after the European Cup (2020) which runs until July 11, Real said in an official statement quoted by Reuters on Saturday 29 May.
Alaba is Madrid's first signing for next season after a disappointing campaign in which they lost the domestic title race to city rivals Atletico Madrid and were beaten in the Champions League semi-finals by Chelsea.
Zinedine Zidane stepped down as Real Madrid coach on Friday after the club experienced their first titleless season in 11 years.
Alaba has made 431 appearances for Bayern in all competitions, scoring 33 goals and providing 55 assists while collecting sizeable trophies including 10 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups plus two Champions League crowns.
Playing mostly at centre-back, Alaba could become Real's most influential defender over the next few years as captain Sergio Ramos' contract expires soon and media reports suggest Raphael Varane is also in danger of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alaba joined Bayern's youth team in 2008 and made his Bundesliga debut in 2010, revealing that he left the club in February in search of a new challenge.
Bayern withdrew their contract offer for Alaba in November last year after months of lengthy negotiations over the player's annual salary.
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