Salford City have confirmed the signing of former Premier League striker Fabio Borini on a short-term deal.
Borini had been a free agent since leaving Italian side Sampdoria in the summer and has been training with Salford’s first team for the past month.
The 34-year-old brings a vast amount of experience and an impressive CV with him to the Ammies, having played in the Premier League for both Liverpool and Sunderland, as well as in Serie A with Italian giants AC Milan.
The signing was sealed after it was confirmed that Jay Bird received an injury that is likely to keep him out of action for an extended period, with Borini putting pen to paper on a deal that runs until January.
Borini, speaking about the move, said: “It’s been great, I came in to train to keep myself fit in this transition between contracts and Salford, the gaffer and Alex Bruce were kind enough to allow me to use the facilities and train here.
“Experience is one thing that I can bring, but it’s not just about the experience that I have on the pitch, it’s outside of the pitch, so leading by example in training, outside training, and how to manage a game.
I’ve never played League Two football, so I need to learn as well from my team mates the main characteristics of this league, but I will bring myself as an open book for my team mates to use me, learn from me or help me, so I’m very open to this challenge.
“It’s a challenge that I’m embracing and I chose to embrace because I needed the real football, something that warms my heart for football, not for anything else.”
The Italian forward began his career with Bologna and Chelsea at academy level, making four appearances for the latter, before suffering a hernia injury that put him out for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
He then moved on loan to Championship side Swansea City for the final part of the 2010/11 season, playing a pivotal role in getting the Welsh club promoted to the Premier League, winning a penalty in the play-off final.
Borini returned to his native Italy following a successful loan spell with the swans, spending time at Parma and Roma, before returning to the Premier League with Liverpool, scoring on his debut for the Reds in the Europa League.
Despite his perfect start, Borini again struggled with injuries and signed for Sunderland on loan for the 2013/14 season, where he became a fan favourite, scoring seven goals, including the opener in the Black Cats’ 3-1 League Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
A top CV from our new man up front 🔝 pic.twitter.com/YGsdUBCHse
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 17, 2025
He then returned to Liverpool determined to fight for his place, but could never muscle his way into Brendan Rodgers’ side, so returned to Sunderland on a permanent deal in 2015, spending two seasons at the club before they were ultimately relegated in 2017.
Borini made another return to Italy, this time with juggernauts AC Milan, where he spent three seasons, but only scored two goals in 22 appearances.
On the national stage, Borini was part of the Italy squad that reached the final of EURO 2012, but he did not play a single minute.
Borini is no stranger to the area, having opened a padel centre in Worsley Sports Club in May.
The signing is an impressive coup for Salford, who face Greater Manchester rivals Oldham Athletic at the Peninsula Stadium today, with the game kicking off at 12:30.
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