David Alaba announces that he will be leaving Bayern Munich at end of season

Defender ends 13 years with the German giants saying he is ready for a new challenge

Bayern Munich's David Alaba wearing a shirt that reads "My Strength Lies in Jesus" after beating Paris Saint-Germain to win the 2020 Uefa Champions League final in Lisbon. AFP

Bayern Munich's David Alaba has won 24 trophies in his 13 years at the German club. AFP

David Alaba alongside Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski in 2020. PA

Bayern's David Alaba alongside manager Hansi Flick after beating Bayer Leverkusen to win the 2020 German Cup. AFP

David Alaba after Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga title in June 2020. AFP

Bayern Munich's David Alaba shoots at goal from a free kick during the 2020 European Super Cup win over Sevilla in Budapest. Reuters

Bayern's David Alaba celebrates after scoring in the German Cup second-round match against FC Ingolstadt in 2011. AFP

David Alaba wearing a traditional Bavarian Lederhosen in 2018 as he arrives with his girlfriend Shalimar Heppner for Bayern's annual visit to the Oktoberfest in Munich. AFP

David Alaba heads the ball during Bayern's German Cup semi-final win over Eintracht Frankfurt in June 2020. AFP

David Alaba celebrates with teammates after beating PSG to win the 2020 Champions League. Reuters

Bayern's David Alaba celebrates after winning the 2020 Champions League. Reuters

Bayern Munich suffered some rare bad news on Tuesday when defender David Alaba announced that he will be leaving the German club at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has spent more than a decade with the Bundesliga champions and played a key role in helping them dominate club football over the last couple of years.

Last week, he won the Club World Cup for a second time, helping Bayern complete a clean sweep of all domestic and European titles they competed for in 2020 and are the first team to match Barcelona's sextuple from 2009.

After discussions with the club over a new deal, the Austria international has decided against extending his current terms and will become a free agent in the summer.

Alaba, who has scored 33 goals in 415 games for Bayern, said in a press conference: "I have made the decision to leave Bayern at the end of this season and try something new.

"It obviously wasn't an easy decision – I've been here for 13 years and the club means a lot to me. I haven't decided where I'm going next.

"I wanted a challenge, to develop as a player on and off the pitch. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. What will also influence my decision is where can I continue playing successful football."

Alaba also said that his agent was already in talks with several clubs without providing any further details.

The announcement came two days after Bayern signed French defender Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig on a five-year contract.

Alaba, linked with a move to Real Madrid and several Premier League clubs, started his career with Austria Wien before he made the move to Germany in 2008.

During a glittering spell at the Allianz Arena, he has won 24 trophies – including two Champions League titles, nine Bundesliga and six German Cups – and Bayern remain on course to secure another German title this season while they have progressed into the Champions League knockout stage.