Biancheri leaves Manchester United permanently to join Austrian second-tier side FC Wacker Innsbruck

Gabriele Biancheri has departed Manchester United on a permanent basis, joining Austrian second-tier club FC Wacker Innsbruck after three-and-a-half years at Old Trafford. The 19-year-old Welsh forward made his debut for his new side on Saturday, coming on in a 3-2 Austrian Cup victory over Blau Weiss Linz.

Biancheri marked the move with a social media post featuring a photo of himself in action for United’s development side. “Thank you @manutd for everything over the last couple of years,” he wrote, before sharing further images of himself in the FC Wacker shirt with the caption: “Excited to be here and can’t wait to get started.”

Several former United academy teammates responded warmly to the farewell post. Shea Lacey and Chido Obi both wished him good luck, while Joe Hugill wrote “All the best brother.” Harry Amass, Ethan Wheatley, Tyler Fletcher, Dan Gore, Jim Thwaites, and Jacob Devaney also sent messages of support. Kai Rooney was among those to like the post.

Biancheri originally joined United from Cardiff City in February 2023 and went on to make 45 appearances for the development team, scoring 16 goals and providing seven assists. Despite that output at youth level, he never broke into the first team.

His final months at the club included a loan spell at League One side Rotherham United during the second half of last season, where he failed to score or assist in 11 appearances as the club were relegated to League Two.

Biancheri is not the only young forward to leave United since the close of the transfer window. Chido Obi has joined Dutch side Willem II on a season-long loan, making his debut as a late substitute in a 3-0 home defeat to Excelsior on Saturday.