Manchester United have confirmed the permanent departure of academy forward Gabriele Biancheri to Austrian second-tier side Wacker Innsbruck, despite the English transfer window having closed earlier this week.
The 19-year-old has signed a long-term contract in Austria after United agreed to the move on Thursday, September 3. The transfer fee has not been disclosed.
Although clubs in England can no longer register domestic deals, United were able to sanction Biancheri’s exit because the Austrian window remained open until Thursday evening.
Gabriele Biancheri leaves Manchester United without senior debut
Biancheri joined United from Cardiff City in February 2023 after attracting interest from Chelsea. He developed into a prominent figure in the club’s academy but was unable to make a senior appearance at Old Trafford.
The Wales Under-21 international scored 16 goals in 45 appearances for United’s Under-21 side, with his record also including seven assists. He featured in both the Premier League 2 and Premier League International Cup during his time at the club.
Biancheri also gained his first experience of senior football during a spell with Rotherham United in League One last season, making 11 appearances.
His most memorable moment for United’s youth teams came when he scored the winning goal against Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup last September.
Wacker Innsbruck, who were promoted to Austria’s 2. Liga, have described Biancheri as a versatile attacking player capable of operating in several forward positions.
Jakob Griesebner, the club’s sporting director, said Biancheri’s development at Manchester United and his experience with Wales’ youth teams gave him an “exciting profile”. He also pointed to the forward’s recent exposure to senior football as a factor that should help him settle in quickly.
Biancheri said the move would allow him to test himself outside Britain for the first time. He added that Wacker Innsbruck had outlined an ambitious project from the outset and that he was looking forward to contributing to the club’s next targets.
The move brings to an end Biancheri’s three-and-a-half-year association with Manchester United before he could break into the first-team squad. He will now attempt to establish himself in Austria and secure the regular senior football that proved difficult to find at Old Trafford.
