I can’t wait to play my first Real Madrid match – Alaba

DAVID Alaba is eager to begin his Real Madrid journey after joining the club as a free agent from Bayern Munich.

The Austria international, who has a Nigerian father and Filipino mother, formalised his switch to the Spanish club on Friday, with the official announcement of the deal.

“Real Madrid C. F. has reached an agreement with David Alaba for the player to join the club for the next five seasons,” the Spanish giants wrote in an official statement on Friday.

“David Alaba will be unveiled as a new Real Madrid player after the end of the 2021 European Championship.”

After the official announcement, Alaba expressed his joy at joining ‘special club’ Real Madrid.

“#HalaMadrid. I leave a special club for another special club. I am really happy and honoured to join Real Madrid,” he tweeted.

“After so many years in Munich I will face a new challenge and I will give my best to continue the club’s special history.

“I can’t wait to play my first match in the iconic white jerseys in front of all you fans in Madrid. I’m sure that this journey will be a successful one. Together with all madridistas. VAMOS!”

Alaba, 28, played 431 matches for Bayern Munich, making him the non-German player with the most appearances in the club’s history.

He won 28 trophies with the German giants, including two UEFA Champions Leagues, two FIFA Club World Cups, two European Super Cups and 10 Bundesliga titles.

He is known mostly as a world-class left-back but he can play at centre-back and as a central midfielder.