The Ex-Chelsea and Liverpool Star Making a Shock Return to the EFL

The Ex-Chelsea and Liverpool Star Making a Shock Return to the EFL

Though the transfer window may have closed over a month ago now, free transfers still play a vital part in EFL clubs' recruitment strategies throughout the season, with these out-of-contract players available to sign at any point in the calendar year.

As a result, it was to very few fans’ surprise when Salford City announced on Friday that they had signed a player on a free transfer in a bid to bolster their attack. However, what caught everyone off guard was the identity of the player they signed.

Salford City is pleased to announce the signing of Fabio Borini on a short term deal!

The Italian striker has been training with the men’s first team for fitness over the past month, and is available for the weekend 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/SXjLzu5m6f

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 17, 2025

Remember Fabio Borini? Of course you do - the Italian played eight times for Chelsea, a further 38 times for Liverpool, scoring 3 goals for the Reds in the process, and generally failed to thrive in a big club environment.

And now, after failing to secure a club in the summer after his contract at Serie A side Sampdoria expired in July, the 34-year-old has managed to seal a move to the League Two outfit in a bid to extend a career nearing its end.

The Journeyman Returns

Known for bouncing between clubs even during his early day’s in England, Borini rarely stayed anywhere long enough to call it home. His career spans 11 clubs, three countries, and six different divisions, an impressive tally by anyone’s standards.

Starting his career at Stamford Bridge, the winger made just eight appearances for the Blue’s before being allowed to to leave in a free transfer to Parma in Italy. Immediately picked up by title contenders Roma on a loan deal, Borini impressed in the capital, so much so that just six months later, Roma would make his stay permanent.

However, after just one season at the club, which saw him find the net 10 times and set up one more, Borini found himself of great interest to a handful of European clubs, including Liverpool, who signed him in the summer of 2012 for £10.7 million.

Borini would fail to thrive in Liverpool red, scoring on average just one goal per year, before being shipped off to Sunderland in a bid to recoup some of the fee spent on him. Having gone on loan to the Black Cats in 2013/14, and netting 10 times in 40 games, the Italian quickly became a staple part of the first team for the Northerners.

It was here that his recognisable “hand-biting” celebration became iconic, and the attacker played a crucial role as Sunderland battled for Premier League survival season after season. However, when they were eventually relegated, Borini jumped ship, likely in a bid to preserve his status as a top division player.

#OnThisDay in 2013, Fabio Borini did THIS 🚀🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/4dNt7oxS3z

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 27, 2024

In fairness to Borini, this tactic succeeded, as he soon found himself part of the squad at AC Milan - but once again, when given a chance for a big club, Borini failed to establish himself, scoring just eight goals in 75 appearances, before Milan cut their losses.

Stints at Hellas Verona, Fatih Karagumruk and Sampdoria followed, but now in his 30’s, no other big moves materialised for the Italian, and after his Sampdoria contract expired in the summer, few could be blamed for assuming his career was over.

However, with Salford City willing to take a chance on him, Fabio Borini returns to the English EFL for the first time since a loan spell at Swansea City all the way back in 2010. With six goals in 12 games during that stint, Salford fans will hope their new man can rekindle some of the same form for them.