Alaba transfer to Real Madrid confirmed by Austria legend

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:39 CDT
• 2 min read

Austria football legend Toni Polster has confirmed that David Alaba will join Real Madrid this summer and believes his countryman has made a good decision.

Alaba will leave the European champions on a Bosman transfer at the end of the current season after 13 years, having opted not to renew his contract.

He has been targeted by a number of elite European clubs – including Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Juventus and PSG – but the consensus is that he has already agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

READ MORE: How will Real Madrid line up with Alaba?

And that worst-kept secret in football has now been confirmed by former Austria star Toni Polster, who is the all-time top-scorer for his country.

“Playing for Madrid is his dream, but it won’t be easy,” Polster told Diario AS.

“At Bayern he’s well-loved and has won many titles.

Alaba: Bayern career statistics

“Achieving the same in Madrid is very difficult. But it’s a risk he’s taken, he’s thought it through and now I wish him good luck.”

Polster, who scored 44 goals in 95 games for Austria, spent five years of his career in Spain.

He scored over 100 goals at Sevilla, Logrones and Rayo Vallecano, so he knows better than most what his countryman will encounter in La Liga.

“There’s a lot of pressure for a newcomer,” the 1990 and 1998 World Cup star said.

“He wanted a new chapter in his career and Madrid will have an exceptional player who can play in many positions; in the centre of midfield, the centre of defence, at left-back. He can do everything.

“It’s a good decision, and I think he’s done well by choosing Madrid.”

Alaba won an incredible 10 Bundesliga titles at Bayern – as well as two Champions League crowns.