Future Stars - David Alaba

Could this be one of the future gems to add to the Bayern Munich crown.  After hitting headlines as a bright prospect, the hype around the young midfielder seems to have died down a little.  One thing is for certain though, if column inches aren't being dedicated to the 19-year-old now they certainly will be in the future.

After starting his career at SV Aspern, David Alaba quickly caught the eye of Austrian giants Austria Vienna and his bags were packed.  After joining in 2002, progress through the ranks seemed to be rather swift.  After being named amongst the squad for an Bundesliga matched in his native Austria, it wasn't long before Germany's biggest team came knocking and he was transferred for the second time in his young life.

Bayern Munich seemed to be the platform that was required, and after a debut season in 2008/09 spent in the youth system he was promptly elevated into the second string.  It was here that an upward turn was taken, with his half season spent in the reserves proving very fruitful indeed.  Not only was he named in the squad for the Champions League, but on the national front he was beginning to be recognised too.

Following on from his two years in the under-17s, only a handful of games were completed in the under-21s before another promotion was completed.  This time into the senior set up, where he has remained since.  In addition to this, in January of last year it was also announced that Alaba was to train with the first team squad at club level.  Two others were also promoted at the same time, one of which was Diego Contento who has been making huge strides into the first team since.

David Alaba celebrating a goal for FC Bayern

In the next year and a half he would remain on the fringes of the Bayern Munich team, clearly showing signs of promise but not being able to crack into the first eleven on a regular basis.  It was announced before the 2011/12 Bundesliga season commenced that he was to go on loan Hoffenheim, where he has featured much more prominently.

That loan spell however expires shortly after the turn of the new year, and Bayern will be hoping the confidence and experience gained will ensure his transition into a first team regular will be rather swift.  Juup Heynckes could just have one of the next stars of the Allianz Arena on his hands.