[4] Tabanelli made his debut for Cagliari as a second-half substitute on 12 April 2014 in a 1–1 draw against Sassuolo.

Days after signing for Cagliari, Tabenelli was signed by Leeds United on loan on January transfer deadline day by prospective Leeds owner Massimo Cellino, the move coming hours after the alleged sacking of manager Brian McDermott.

[7] After being reinstated as Leeds manager, Brian McDermott revealed that on 3 February that Gianluca Festa was still present in training, however this time acting as a translator for new signing Andrea Tabanelli.

McDermott revealed that the move was under scrutiny by the Football League as to see if Tabanelli's signing would be sanctioned.

[8] On 7 February 2014, it was revealed that Tabanelli's transfer to Leeds had been cancelled as the signing 'did not comply with Football League regulations' and he returned to Cagliari.