Real Madrid defender to leave at the end of the season

Austrian defender David Alaba will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season when his contract expires, Los Blancos said on Friday

The 33-year-old has been in the Spanish capital for five years after joining from Bayern Munich, but serious injury problems have stopped him from playing consistently. Alaba won 11 trophies including two Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles, playing 131 times for the club.

“Real Madrid wishes to express its gratitude and all its affection to a player who has been part of a team that has marked one of the most successful periods in our history,” said Madrid in a statement.

Alaba, like right-back Dani Carvajal and departing coach Alvaro Arbeloa, can say goodbye to the club’s supporters on Saturday in Madrid’s final league match of the season, at home against Athletic Bilbao. The centre-back, who has not yet announced his next destination, will captain Austria at the World Cup this summer.