Alaba's presentation, speech, signing and first training: officially a Madridista

The moment that all of the fans were waiting finally came: David Alaba was presented as a new Real Madrid player in the midweek. Real Madrid City hosted the event, which began with the screening of a video featuring some of the best images of the player in action.

President Florentino Pérez then spoke: "I want to take the opportunity during these first few minutes to remember our fans, as well as all the fans of the other teams, who have been suffering and fighting against this pandemic for months. Football without them in the stadiums is a very different game and we hope that thanks to science, vaccines and medical staff, we will soon find the stands full of fans again".

"Every time a great footballer joins our club, the Madridistas share a special moment of emotions and high expectations. We welcome today one of these great players who dreamed of wearing the Real Madrid shirt. A player who I know is experiencing a very special day today".

The admiration for the Austrian ace: "I want to thank you, David, for choosing Real Madrid to continue to develop your career. You are joining us from one of the world's biggest clubs, Bayern Munich, a club that is a friend of ours and where you have won a remarkable 28 titles in total. You arrive at Real Madrid with the utmost recognition and respect from all football fans".

"Today is a very special day for you and for all your family present here, and you now face an exciting challenge: to achieve new successes and win new trophies in the Real Madrid jersey and to be part of the incredible history of our club. You will have the backing of every Madridista and you will feel the support of our members and fans in a Santiago Bernabéu stadium that will soon become the most modern and spectacular stadium in the world. Welcome to the club where your dream is to continue winning more titles, welcome to your new home".

Alaba’s words: "I'm very proud to wear this jersey. Thank you very much for the warm welcome. This is a huge day in my career, I'm very excited, proud and thankful to wear this Real Madrid jersey. Hopefully we can achieve a lot of success together. Hala Madrid!".

Signing the contract: before the presentation, Alaba signed his new five-year contract in the company of Florentino Pérez. After the signing, the Austrian was given a watch, a replica of the Santiago Bernabéu and a jersey with his name and the number 4 on it.

David Alaba, born in Viena, Austria, on 24/06/1992, is now officially a Real Madrid player. The 28-year-old Austrian international has joined the club from Bayern Munich. He is a vastly experienced player and boasts an impressive record at the top level of European football which has seen him pick up 28 trophies, including two Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups, two European Super Cups and 10 Bundesliga titles.

He made 431 appearances for Bayern Munich, which made him the foreign player with the most appearances in the club's history. Alaba has also been named in the UEFA Team of the Year three times and has been voted Austria's player of the year seven times, and will play in the forthcoming European Championship for his country.

The new Madrid signing is a versatile defender, who is comfortable at centre-back or left-back, but can also play in centre-midfield. After starting his career with SV Aspern and Austria Vienna, Alaba joined Bayern in the summer of 2008, making his debut at the age of 17. Before he earned a first-team place, he briefly played for Hoffenheim in the 2010/11 season. Apart from possessing defensive attributes like strength and pace, he is also a very technical player and is a fine striker of the ball from free-kicks. Alaba scored 33 goals for Bayern Munich.

Below is the rich list of his club and individual honours:

-2 Champions Leagues

-2 Club World Cups

-2 European Super Cups

-10 Bundesliga titles

-6 German Cups

-6 German Super Cups

-3 times named in the UEFA Team of the Year (2013, 2014 and 2015).

-Footballer of the year in Austria in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020.

-Sports Personality of the year in Austria in 2013 and 2014.

After the presentation ceremony at the Real Madrid City pavilion and before his first press conference as a Real Madrid player, David Alaba visited the first team residence alongside president Florentino Pérez. He greeted his new teammates, who were in the dining room, and spoke with Carlo Ancelotti and the coaching staff.

David Alaba gave an interview to the club's official channels following his presentation as a new Real Madrid player. The Austrian defender reflected: "It's a wonderful step for me personally. It's a childhood dream come true to pull on the Real Madrid jersey. It's something very special from a personal point of view. It's a dream to play for this club, as I said, but it's not only a dream you have when you're a kid. I think not only lots of children, but lots of footballers in general dream of this moment, the chance to one day play for the biggest club in the world”.

About his motivation behind the signing: “There was no other option for me. Real Madrid were always top of the list. When the offer came in, I knew instantly that I wanted to come here. I'd spoken with Toni Kroos and Marcelo”.

About the playing style and his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti: “I think I'm a very versatile player who can play in a whole range of positions. I'm also left-footed which is something a bit unusual. I'm hugely excited to be able to work with Ancelotti again. I know him from my time at Bayern Munich. We had a fantastic relationship and I'm thrilled that we can work together here once more".

One of the unknowns about David Alaba ahead of his arrival at Real Madrid concerned which shirt number he would wear, but it was revealed on the presentaion that the Austrian will wear Sergio Ramos' No.4. It was the surprise of his presentation ceremony, given that former Real Madrid captain Ramos wore the number for the last decade and a half.

Alaba, though, insisted that he isn't at Real Madrid to replace Ramos and that he is keen to carve out his own legacy. He said: "I spoke to the club about it," the new arrival said in his introductory press conference, when asked about the number choice. They offered me that number. I don't think there was any other. I know what the number means for the club and that motivates me. It represents strength and leadership. I want to give me all for that number."

After the signing and presentation it was the time for Alaba to fully integrate in his new team. His first training took place in a warm environment with all of the available players under the boss Carlo Ancelotti. The new community is not unknown for the Austrian. Besides the coach that has been with him a couplke of years ago in Munchen, there are also other players like Kroos and Odriozola that have played along his side at some point in their careers. And not to forget, Real Madrid and Bayern have faced each other many times in friendly games and Champions League games and Alaba is probably very familiar with most of Madrid’s Men. This time they will become close friends and not opponents!

It was the third day Carlo Ancelotti had his men in this week, and Alaba joined the group as they continued their pre-season preparations. Alaba had been on holiday until then, after spending the summer with Austria at the European Championship. But the 29-year-old, who already knows some of his teammates, is now on the grass at Valdebebas and getting into shape.

One of those he is closest to is fellow German speaker and former Bayern Munich colleague Toni Kroos, who will play a key role in Alaba's integration. "I'm going to try and learn Spanish as quickly as possible so that I can communicate with my teammates and the rest of the people at the club. I've spoken with Kroos and I'm very happy to see him again”, Alaba said.