Fabio Borini has decided to hang up his boots following a 17-year professional career with three of them spent wearing the Liverpool colours
Former Liverpool forward Fabio Borini
Former Liverpool forward Fabio Borini (Image: Getty Images)
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Ex-Liverpool forward Fabio Borini has announced his retirement from professional football.
The Italian, 35, spent three years at Anfield after joining for £10.5million from Roma in 2012. During that time, he scored just three times in 38 appearances before moving to Sunderland on a permanent deal.
Borino, who started his senior career at Chelsea before spending time at Swansea City and Parma, went on to have three years at Sunderland, where he scored 17 times in 93 matches. But, after enjoying a season on loan at AC Milan, he signed for the San Siro club for good in 2018, penning a three-year contract.
But Borino struggled at Milan and ended up playing for Hellas Verona, Fatih Karagumruk and Sampdoria before returning to England with League Two side Salford City last summer. The veteran front man netted five times in 33 matches for the Ammies before being released by the club at the end of the season.
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Now, after failing to find a new club in the off-season, Borini has decided to hang up his boots.
In an emotional statement on Instagram, Borino said: "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.
"From that day on, I started building myself, without knowing what would become of that kid with such a strong mindset. I started building my dreams in my head, and somehow, I ended up turning them into my reality.
"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.
"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."
In response to Borino's statement, he received a number of supportive messages.
Ex-Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson put a clapping emoji and a hand raised emoji.
Patrick van Aanholt, who was 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 heard emoji.
Mark Howard played with Borini at Salford last season, and wrote: "What a guy. Going to miss our morning moans mate. Congratulations on an incredible career."
Liverpool, meanwhile, paid tribute to Borini in a statement soon after his announcement, ending with wishing him the best for the future.