rewrite this title ‘Real Madrid will always be his home’ – Los Blancos confirm defender’s departure

Real Madrid have confirmed David Alaba will leave the club at the end of the season.

Alaba has spent five years at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning nine trophies, including two LaLiga titles and a pair of Champions League crowns.

The Austria international, 33, has made 131 appearances for Madrid, though only 15 of them have come this season, with his playing time limited by injuries and the arrival of centre-back Dean Huijsen and left-back Alvaro Carreras last summer. His contract expires at the end of June.

Manchester United and AC Milan have been linked with a free agent move for Alaba’s services, while he is also said to be of interest to clubs in MLS and Saudi Arabia.

Alaba will get the chance to say farewell to the Madrid fans on Saturday when Los Blancos host Athletic Bilbao in their final game of the season. He will then head to North America with Austria for their 2026 World Cup campaign.

In paying tribute to Alaba, club president Florentino Perez referenced his iconic celebration, which saw him hoist a chair above his head in front of jubilant fans, from Madrid’s last-16 comeback win over Paris Saint-Germain en route to winning the Champions League in 2022.

In a statement, Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “David Alaba carries with him the affection of all Madridistas for his dedication, his work, and an iconic image in our journey toward the Fourteenth [Champions League title], symbolising the celebration of a victory that is now a part of our club’s history. Real Madrid will always be his home.”