Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has explained his decision to join Serie A side Udinese, saying he remains ambitious despite his decorated career.

The 34-year-old Austria international joined Udinese as a free agent after leaving Real Madrid and has agreed to remain with the Italian club until the end of the season.

Alaba said his decision was motivated by his desire to continue competing at the highest level rather than begin winding down his career.

“I want to win again,” Alaba said in a statement released by Udinese on Thursday.

He said he wanted to compete again and achieve something significant with the Italian club, adding that he remained convinced of his ability to perform at the highest level.

“I certainly haven’t come to wind down my career,” he said. “I’m still too ambitious for that, and I still strongly believe in what I can do on the pitch.”

Alaba, a four-time Champions League winner, said he was looking forward to establishing himself again in Serie A and helping Udinese achieve their objectives.

He had been without a club since leaving Real Madrid during the close-season and had not played since captaining Austria at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the last 32.

The defender won two Champions League titles with Bayern Munich and two with Real Madrid. He has also made 117 appearances for Austria, scoring 15 goals.

Udinese had collected four points from their opening five Serie A matches before Alaba’s arrival and finished 10th in the previous season.