Liverpool finally has bid “arrivederci” to Fabio Borini.
Liverpool sold Borini to Sunderland, the Premier League clubs announced Monday.
#LFC can confirm Fabio Borini has completed a permanent transfer to Sunderland http://t.co/iOKKIMhdz0 pic.twitter.com/aCFoR6dlPL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 31, 2015
BREAKING NEWS: Fabio Borini returns to Wearside signing a four-year deal at #SAFC. #ThisisFab pic.twitter.com/EeYc60lA4V
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 31, 2015
Borini, 24, joins the Black Cats on a four-year contract after the teams agreed to a transfer fee worth an initial £8 million, which could rise to £10 million, according to Sky Sports and The BBC.
Fabio Borini will wear the No.9 shirt at Sunderland. pic.twitter.com/07RvZDkw25
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 31, 2015
Borini joined Liverpool in summer 2012 from Italian club AS Roma in a transfer worth around £11 million ($17 million), but injuries and subsequent losses of both form and confidence hampered his three-year stay at Anfield. Borini scored just three goals in 38 games for Liverpool in all competitions.
Borini enjoyed a successful loan spell at Sunderland in 2013-14. He scored seven goals in 32 games, including one in Sunderland’s loss to Manchester City in the Football League Cup final. Sunderland tried to sign Borini from Liverpool last summer, but he balked at the move, choosing to stay and fight for playing time at Anfield.
Borini faced the prospect of another season as a Liverpool reserve after manager Brendan Rodgers recruited Christinan Benteke, Danny Ings and Divock Origi this summer as part of his reconstructed strike force.
Borini drew interest from other clubs, according to The BBC’s Phil McNulty, but Liverpool sold him to the highest bidder.
Inter offer for Borini comes in at £6m. Watford have offered £7m. Fiorentina still in but Sunderland's £8m rising to £10m winning the day.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) August 31, 2015
Borini was Rodgers’ first signing as Liverpool’s manager and now has become his latest departure.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@SunderlandAFC