Alexis Sanchez Returns to Udinese on Free Transfer, 18 Years After First Signing

Former Arsenal and Manchester United Star Signs Two-Year Deal with Italian Club

Alexis Sanchez has made a remarkable return to Udinese, the club where his European career began, signing a two-year contract on a free transfer. The 35-year-old Chilean forward, who was released by Inter Milan in July, has rejoined Udinese 18 years after his initial signing, marking a nostalgic and unexpected move in his storied career.

Sanchez first joined Udinese in 2006 as a promising young talent from Chile. Over the next five years, he developed into one of the most exciting forwards in Serie A, catching the eye of top European clubs. His performances in Udinese colors paved the way for a move to Barcelona in 2011, where he further honed his skills on the global stage.

In 2014, Sanchez made a high-profile switch to Arsenal, where he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career, scoring 80 goals in 166 appearances and becoming a fan favorite at the Emirates Stadium. His time in London, however, was followed by a less successful stint at Manchester United, where he managed only five goals in 45 games after joining in a swap deal in 2018.

After a brief and underwhelming stay at Old Trafford, Sanchez was loaned to Inter Milan in 2019 and eventually made the move permanent. At Inter, he rediscovered some of his best form, contributing to the club's Serie A title win last season. Following the termination of his contract in 2022, Sanchez spent a season at Marseille before returning to Inter, where he played a role in their recent success.

Now, as he returns to Udinese, Sanchez will look to bring his wealth of experience and skill back to the club where it all began. Udinese, who finished sixth from bottom last season, will hope that Sanchez's presence can inspire a resurgence as they aim for a stronger campaign in Serie A.

Sanchez’s homecoming is a full-circle moment in a career that has seen him play at some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Fans of Udinese and football enthusiasts alike will watch eagerly to see how the veteran forward impacts the team in the coming seasons.