Alaba: ‘Runjaic convinced me to join Udinese, I feel good and ready to play’

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David Alaba says Kosta Runjaic persuaded him to join Udinese, and insists he is ready...

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David Alaba says Kosta Runjaic persuaded him to join Udinese, and insists he is ready to play after months without a club.

With quotes courtesy of TuttoMercatoWeb , the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid defender was officially presented on Tuesday, having signed as a free agent in September on a deal until June 2027.

The 34-year-old, a four-time Champions League winner, had been without a club since his Real Madrid contract expired on 30 June. He chose Udinese over interest from Union Berlin, Club América, Inter Miami and Al-Sadd, and the coach was the deciding factor.

> "I spoke mainly with the coach, Runjaic, and he convinced me of the project here," Alaba said. "I took my time to make a decision, and over time I became convinced that this was perhaps the right path. I believe it's the right step for my career."

He has been training with his new teammates for around a week and played down concerns about his fitness.

> "I feel good and I feel ready to play. I've already been training with the team for about a week, and I trained hard in the previous months. I've spoken often with Runjaic about my role. I've played a lot as a centre-back and I feel comfortable there. I've played in other positions too, but mainly I feel good as a centre-back. As for the clubs, I can say that yes, I spoke with other Italian clubs."

Alaba on Modric, Arnautovic and Ribery advice

Before signing, he sought advice from some familiar names.

> "Yes, I spoke with several players, like Modric, Arnautovic and Ribery. On the role, I've spoken with the coach and he'll decide. I can play in the middle of a back three, but also on the left of it."

He also explained why he stepped away from Austria duty this month.

> "I'm always in contact with Rangnick, we have a great relationship. We consciously decided together to pause things with Austria for a few days because I wanted to start my time in Udine. Serie A was definitely a league I wanted to play in, and that was definitely part of my choice."

Group technical director Gianluca Nani admitted the deal, worked on quietly over three weeks, was a rare one for the Friulians: "Usually we sell players to Real Madrid, now we're signing them."

Alaba brushed off the doubts about his condition.

> "I know what kind of player I am and I'm here to play football. I'm here to write the next pages of my story as a footballer. I have a lot of experience and I want to put it at the team's disposal. I'm less interested in the rumours."

And he was clear about why he came.

> "I decided to come here not because of my past, but because I'm ambitious and I always want more. It's an important project and I think it's the right step for my career. I don't need to prove anything to myself, but I came here to build a new chapter of my career, and to help the team with my quality and experience."

Udinese face Torino on Monday, and Alaba is ready if called upon: "I'm feeling good ahead of Monday. The decision is up to Runjaic, and we'll also speak with the medical staff, but I feel very good."

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