Fabio Borini has finally returned to Sunderland. After a successful season long loan spell during the 2013-14 season in which he scored 10 goals and captured the Young Player of the Year award, Sunderland finally welcome Fabio Borini back to the Stadium of Light.
Fabio Borini Signs For Sunderland
Borini, whose last spell on Wearside produced some very important goals, helped Sunderland to avoid relegation and to a League Cup Final in which he scored the opening goal. He also scored a fabulous winner against rivals Newcastle at the Stadium of Light and also a penalty in the 3-0 victory at St James’ Park.
These goals along with a string of excellent performances made him a crowd favourite. Both fans and club alike had everything crossed that he would sign permanently after his loan spell had finished. After a drawn out saga, which lasted the entire 2014 summer transfer window, where the then Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet made Borini his number one target after both clubs had agreed a fee of around £14 million. Borini decided to stay at Liverpool and fight for his place. Although he did try to put up a fight, he found himself as little more than a bit part player throughout last season.
Rumours of Borini’s departure from Anfield have never been far from the surface. After it became obvious that Liverpool were willing to let him go there was no shortage of clubs interested in signing him. Reports suggested that he favoured a return to his home country, Italy, with both Inter Milan and Fiorentini interested. However when a move back to Italy failed to materialise, Sunderland made their move for a player they know well and had a bid of £7.75 million, rising to £9.75 million with add ons accepted by Liverpool. Borini arrived in Sunderland earlier today and completed his medical before signing a four year deal.
Borini said “I am delighted to be back at Sunderland. It is a club I know really well from my time here previously.
“It will be emotional for me to play at the Stadium of Light again and I can’t wait to get back on the pitch as a Sunderland player.”
With the signing of Borini, who is still only 24 years old, Sunderland fans will be hoping that they finally have the man that can play alongside Jermain Defoe and Jeremain Lens in Dick Advocaat’s favoured 4-3-3 formation. If he can recapture the form he showed during his season long loan spell, then the fee paid to Liverpool will be money well spent.
