Wolfsberger AC signs Marco Schabauer from Admira Wacker

Background: Schabauer's path out of Lower Austria

Schabauer began his footballing career in the youth setup of SC Aspang, „bevor es über den USV Scheiblingkirchen-Warth in die Akademie St. Pölten NÖ ging". After one year with LASK's second team, he was loaned out to Admira Wacker, „von denen er nach Ablauf der Leihe im vergangenen Sommer fix verpflichtet wurde". With the move to WAC, the circle closes for 20-year-old Lower Austrian Marco Schabauer as he steps up into a more high-profile league.

Academy product Skubl extends

Alongside the transfer, WAC announced a second piece of personnel news: goalkeeper David Skubl has extended his contract with the club by a further three years. The keeper, who came through the WAC academy, „feierte in dieser Zeit sein Bundesliga-Debüt" and „sammelte zudem wertvolle Spielpraxis bei den Amateuren in der Regionalliga Mitte". David Skubl has been part of WAC's goalkeeping trio since the 2020/21 season.

The club emphasizes the special bond with its homegrown player: „Der WAC freut sich, den gemeinsamen Weg mit dem Eigenbauspieler auch in den kommenden Jahren fortzusetzen, heißt es abschließend." With Skubl's extension and Schabauer's signing, WAC underscores its approach of tying down young Austrian players on long-term deals while also strengthening the squad in a targeted manner.

Outlook on the Bundesliga season

Schabauer is described in Wolfsberg as a versatile midfielder capable of playing in both central and attacking roles. His profile therefore fits the demands of the Admiral Bundesliga, in which WAC intends to be competitive in the coming season. With the signing, the club is also responding to potential departures in midfield.

For Schabauer, the move represents a return to Austria's top flight after gaining experience exclusively in the second division most recently. The step to WAC comes at his own request and with the prospect of establishing himself in the Bundesliga. The contract in the Lavanttal runs for two years and contains no known release clause.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, squad planning remains a focus at WAC. Following the personnel decisions regarding Schabauer and Skubl, work is now underway in Wolfsberg on the sporting direction in order to play as prominent a role as possible in the Admiral Bundesliga. The club's management sees the signing as confirmation of its strategy of integrating young players from the domestic market.