Fabio Borini has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35, bringing a 17-year career to a close. The former Liverpool forward spent three years at Anfield after joining for £10.5 million from Roma in 2012, scoring three times in 38 appearances before moving to Sunderland on a permanent deal.
A career across England, Italy and Turkey
Borini began his senior career at Chelsea before spells at Swansea City and Parma. He went on to spend three years at Sunderland, where he scored 17 goals in 93 matches. After a season on loan at AC Milan, he signed for the San Siro club permanently in 2018 on a three-year contract.
Struggling at Milan, Borini later played for Hellas Verona, Fatih Karagumruk and Sampdoria before returning to England with League Two side Salford City last summer. He scored five goals in 33 matches for the Ammies before being released at the end of the season. After failing to find a new club in the off-season, he decided to hang up his boots.
Emotional statement and tributes
In an emotional statement on Instagram, Borini wrote: "It all started with a flight. Thank you @chelseafc. I was 16 years old. A flight I spent entirely with tears in my eyes, beginning the journey of my career with no real destination, other than the dreams I wanted to achieve."
He added: "The same reality that today will change forever. The reality that has shaped my past, my present and my future. Today, just like that day when I sat on a plane to London, I feel those same emotions about what lies ahead. Fear. Happiness. Courage. Uncertainty. Dreams. Success. Passion. Sacrifice."
Borini concluded: "I want to thank that kid who never stopped believing. And the man I am today will keep believing in the next opportunity, this time without a ball at my feet, but with that same belief. Always. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, FOOTBALL."
Support from former teammates
His announcement drew supportive messages from former teammates. Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson responded with a clapping emoji and a hand raised emoji. Patrick van Aanholt, who played alongside Borini at Sunderland, said: "What a career brother... was a pleasure sharing a changing room with you and the pitch," alongside a fire emoji and a red love heart emoji.
Mark Howard, a teammate at Salford last season, wrote: "What a guy. Going to miss our morning moans mate. Congratulations on an incredible career." Liverpool also paid tribute to Borini in a statement, wishing him the best for the future.
