Fabio Borini

2.1. Childhood and Youth Career

Borini started playing football at the age of eight. He was raised as a supporter of his local club, Bologna, and joined their youth academy in 2001 when he was nine years old. His talent caught the eye of scouts from Chelsea during their visit to Italy, leading him to join Chelsea's youth team in the summer of 2007 at the age of 16. During the 2008-09 season, he established himself as the first-choice striker for Chelsea's reserve team, becoming their top scorer with 10 goals from 11 appearances. He also scored against Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup.

3.1. Chelsea

After joining Chelsea's youth system in 2007, Borini's impressive performance for the reserves, including his 10 goals in 11 appearances during the 2008-09 season, earned him recognition from then-manager Carlo Ancelotti. On September 1, 2009, he was added to Chelsea's Champions League squad, making the bench against Porto. His first-team debut came on September 20, 2009, when he replaced Nicolas Anelka in the 89th minute against Tottenham Hotspur. He made his full debut a few days later against Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup third round, playing the full 90 minutes. On December 8, 2009, Borini made his Champions League debut in a 2-2 draw against APOEL, coming on for Gael Kakuta. He played his first FA Cup game against Watford in the third round, entering as a substitute in the 70th minute in a 5-0 victory. He later underwent a hernia operation, which kept him out of action for some time. On October 20, 2010, as captain of Chelsea Reserves, Borini scored five goals to lead a comeback from 0-3 down against West Bromwich Albion Reserves, with Chelsea Reserves ultimately winning 5-4.

3.2. Swansea City (loan)

On March 17, 2011, Borini joined Championship side Swansea City on loan until the end of the 2010-11 season, reuniting with his former Chelsea youth team boss, Brendan Rodgers. He made an immediate impact, scoring a brace against Nottingham Forest in his first game. On April 9, 2011, he opened the scoring with a free kick against Norwich City in a 3-0 win. He also scored in Swansea's 2-1 loss to Burnley and netted another brace in a 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town at the Liberty Stadium. On May 18, 2011, Borini confirmed he would not return to Chelsea after his loan spell, choosing to decide his future after the Championship play-off final. In that final, Borini won the penalty that secured a 4-2 lead for Swansea, ensuring their return to English football's top flight.

3.3. Parma

Following his successful loan spell at Swansea, it was revealed that Borini had signed a pre-contract agreement with Serie A club Parma before joining Swansea. According to his agent, Marco De Marchi, Borini secured a five-year contract with Parma. The club officially confirmed the deal on July 2, 2011. Parma also paid Chelsea a training compensation fee of 347.50 K EUR. Chelsea subsequently sued Parma to the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, which on August 28, 2012, ordered Parma to pay 337.50 K EUR plus 5% interest from August 31, 2011. A scheduled payment was agreed upon on April 18, 2013.

3.4. Roma (loan)

On August 31, 2011, Borini signed for Italian club Roma on a loan deal worth 1.25 M EUR, with an option to buy for 7.00 M EUR. He signed a 1+4-year contract, which would see his gross earnings increase from 1.00 M EUR in the first season to 2.30 M EUR in 2012-13 and ultimately 3.40 M EUR in 2015-16. He made his official debut for Roma in a 2-1 home loss to Cagliari, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for Pablo Osvaldo. The following week, he made his first start against Inter Milan in a 0-0 draw at the San Siro. He scored his first goal for Roma in a 2-1 away loss against Genoa. He then scored his first goal in the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina in Roma's 3-0 victory. Borini scored his second league goal against Cesena in Roma's 5-1 win. On January 23, 2012, Roma bought Borini from Parma in a co-ownership deal for 2.30 M EUR. Roma also paid agent Andrea Rosso 150.00 K EUR for facilitating the deal and sent Stefano Okaka to Parma on a temporary deal with an option to sign half of his "card" for 300.00 K EUR. On February 5, he scored two goals against Inter in a 4-0 victory. He scored an equalizer in a derby against Lazio and a winner against Palermo on March 12. On June 23, Roma acquired the remaining 50% of Borini's rights from Parma for 5.30 M EUR through a blind auction.

3.5. Liverpool

On July 9, 2012, reports emerged that Borini was set to become Brendan Rodgers' first signing as Liverpool manager. The deal was confirmed on July 12, and on July 13, Borini officially completed his transfer to Liverpool, requesting to wear the number 29 shirt. Roma announced the transfer fee as 13.30 M EUR, including bonuses, equivalent to about 10.50 M GBP. After his move, Borini revealed that Italy teammate Mario Balotelli had encouraged him to join Liverpool, claiming the club had the most exciting fans.

3.5.3. 2014-15 season

On May 14, 2014, in his first match since returning from Sunderland, Borini scored in a 4-0 friendly win over Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. During the pre-season, he was substituted after 12 minutes in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Roma at Fenway Park on July 24, 2014, following a heavy fall. Manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged that Borini would require treatment but insisted the injury was not serious.

Liverpool accepted a 14.00 M GBP bid from Sunderland, but Borini decided against the switch, choosing instead to fight for his place in the Liverpool first team. On December 21, 2014, Borini was sent off for two yellow cards in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield, despite playing only 16 minutes as a substitute. The second yellow was given for a high challenge on Santi Cazorla that tore the Arsenal player's shirt. He scored his second Premier League goal for Liverpool against Aston Villa on January 17, 2015, from a cross by Jordan Henderson in a 2-0 win.

3.6. Sunderland

On August 31, 2015, Borini joined Sunderland permanently on a four-year deal, for a reported fee of 8.00 M GBP, potentially rising to 10.00 M GBP.

3.7. AC Milan

On June 30, 2017, Borini joined Serie A club AC Milan on loan, with an obligation to buy for 6.00 M EUR. On July 11, he made his debut in a friendly match against Lugano. He made his official debut for the club on July 27, in a 1-0 away win against CS U Craiova in the first leg of Milan's Europa League third-round qualifier. He scored his first goal for the club in Milan's 6-0 Europa League play-off win against Shkëndija on August 17. On September 28, he provided two assists in a 3-2 home victory against Rijeka in the Europa League. On June 7, 2018, Sunderland announced Borini would join Milan permanently on July 1, 2018.

3.8. Hellas Verona

On January 14, 2020, Borini signed with Hellas Verona until the end of the 2019-20 season. He made his debut five days later against Bologna, scoring the equalizing goal for his team in a 1-1 draw. He recorded 3 goals in 16 league appearances before his contract expired at the end of the season.

3.9. Fatih Karagümrük

On December 15, 2020, Borini signed for Süper Lig club Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey. He got off to a good start at the club, scoring multiple goals, including a right-footed curled effort into the top corner against Fenerbahçe in a 2-1 loss on February 13. At the club, he reunited with compatriots Emiliano Viviano and former Milan teammate Lucas Biglia.

3.10. Sampdoria

On July 10, 2023, Sampdoria, who had recently been relegated to Serie B, announced the signing of Borini on a contract until 2025.

4.1. Youth Teams

On November 13, 2009, Borini made his debut with the Italy U-21 squad in a 2-0 loss against Hungary. He was named captain of the Italian U-19 team for the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. On March 29, 2011, he scored his first goal for the U-21 team in a friendly game against Germany.

In May 2013, he was included in the Italy U-21 squad for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship held in Israel. On June 15, 2013, he scored a winning goal in the semi-finals of the competition against the Netherlands and a consolation goal in the final against Spain. Following the competition's completion, he was announced in UEFA's official Team of the Tournament.

4.2. Senior Team

On February 26, 2012, Borini was called up to the senior national team by head coach Cesare Prandelli. He made his debut on February 29, 2012, in a friendly match against the United States. He was included in the Italian squad for UEFA Euro 2012, but remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament. In May 2016, Borini was named in Italy's preliminary 28-man training squad ahead of UEFA Euro 2016.

6.1. Club

6.2. International