New Real Madrid signing David Alaba said he hadn't arrived at the club in order to replace anyone when he was officially presented to the press on Wednesday.

The Austrian joins on a free transfer from Bayern Munich and has inherited the number '4' shirt left open after Sergio Ramos' departure and subsequent move to Paris Saint Germain.

"This number was offered to me because there was no other number available and I know what this number means to the club," said Alaba, who said it was an "honor" to inherit the shirt from the former Real Madrid captain.

However, he brushed aside suggestions he would be the club's 'new Ramos'.

"I'm here to be David Alaba. I want to contribute my abilities and I'm going to try to bring my strengths as a player and, on a personal level, to be myself," he insisted.

Alaba can play across the defense and also in midfield, and he said he had received "several offers," when it was obvious he would not be staying at Bayern.

"The only one option was Real Madrid. It's the biggest club in the world and this is the challenge I was looking for... It's a huge club, known all over the world and I've seen pictures of Real Madrid since I was very young, so it's very special to be here today," he said.

The 29-year-old said he was pleased to reencounter Carlo Ancelotti, who returned to coach Real Madrid for a second spell after Zinedine Zidane stepped down at the end of last season.

"I know him from my time in Munich, we have an excellent relationship and it's a pleasure to work with him again," commented Alaba. 

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