Bayern Munich Alumni: David Alaba excited to to play his first match for Real Madrid

Earlier this week, Real Madrid officially announced the signing of David Alaba from Bayern Munich on a five-year deal as a free agent. It was known for quite some time that Los Blancos would be his destination after this season concluded, but it had not been made official until Friday, when Real Madrid’s web site put out a press release.

Despite joining the La Liga giants as a free agent, it was reported by Sport1’s Florian Plettenberg that Alaba’s move would be worth roughly €12.5m net/year, which would be more than Robert Lewandowski earns. The announcement also comes just after it was announced that Zinedine Zidane would be leaving the club, stepping down from his post as manager.

Shortly after Alaba’s move was made official, he expressed his eagerness and delight to suite up and play his first match for Real Madrid (Marca). “I leave one special club for another. I’m really happy to be part of Real Madrid. After so many years in Munich, I’ll take on this new challenge and do my best to continue the history of this special club. I can’t wait to play my first game in this legendary white shirt, in front of all of you, the Real Madrid fans. I’m convinced that this experience will be full of success,” the Austrian international said.

Alaba wont be officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player until after the Euros this summer. Prior to the tournament starting, Austria has a pair of friendlies against England and then Slovakia in the beginning of June, the week before they open their Euros campaign against North Macedonia in Bucharest, Romania.

For Bayern, Alaba’s departure, as well as Jerome Boateng’s, leaves a void on the backline, but the Bavarians have already announced the much anticipated signing of Omar Richards from Reading FC. As well as left-back, Richards can also be deployed as a left wing, or left wing-back, so he, along with Alphonso Davies, can help cover some of what has been left behind by Alaba even though the Austrian had shifted to center back last season.