Across their careers, players can play for a number of different clubs. This player has played for some of Europe’s biggest and best clubs in his short career so far. And Sunderland.
This week’s Forgotten Blue is Fabio Borini.
After starting his career at hometown club Bologna, Borini joined Chelsea in the summer of 2007 and was placed in the squad’s youth and reserve sides.
During the 2008/09 season, Borini was made first choice striker for the reserve side. The Italian repayed the faith placed on him by scoring ten goals in 11 appearances for the reserve side. His impressive form saw him named in Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League squad, and was named on the bench for the tie to FC Porto, although he did not make his debut.
His first team debut came only a few days later, as he replaced Nicolas Anelka in the 89th minute of a Premier League fixture against Tottenham. Borini would make his first start in a Chelsea shirt in a League Cup tie versus Queens Park Rangers.
Whilst being involved with the first team, Borini still played with the reserve side. With Chelsea 3-0 down to West Brom, the striker scored five times to help Chelsea win 5-4.
The Italian would later make first team appearances in the Champions League and the FA Cup, and he made eight appearances in all competitions during the 2009/10 season.
In March 2011, Borini joined Championship side Swansea on loan for the rest of the 2010/11 season. His form in Wales was impressive, as he scored six goals in 12 games. The Italian played a key role as the Swans clinched promotion into the Premier League for the first time.
Borini confirmed while out on loan that he would not be returning to Stamford Bridge, and signed pre-contract with Parma. He then joined fellow-Italian side Roma on loan. While on loan in the Italian capital, Borini scored ten goals in 26 appearances for the side.
After a year in Italy, Borini then returned to England, and signed for Liverpool. His first season at Anfield was not particularly impressive, as he only managed to score twice in all competitions for the Reds.
He was then sent out on loan to Sunderland, where his form picked up, and he finished as the club’s top goalscorer in all competitions with ten goals. During his season in the North-East, he helped the Black Cats avoid relegation and finish 14th.
Borini later returned to Liverpool, and his form declined once again. Appearing mostly as a substitute, Borini only managed to find the back of the net once during the season.
His next move was a permanent one, and it was a return to the Stadium of Light. Borini signed a four-year-deal with Sunderland, for a reported fee of £8 million. Unfortunately for the Italian, he couldn’t recapture the form that made him a favourite during his loan spell, and he scored seven goals across two seasons.
Despite only scoring twice during the 2016/17 season, as Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League, Borini was signed by Italian giants AC Milan. The Serie A side signed the striker on loan from the Championship club, with an obligation to buy. Since making the move to the San Siro, Borini has made 11 appearances for the club so far this season.
At the age of 26, Borini has played for a number of Europe’s biggest clubs, and the list can only grow. What European heavyweight will he end up at next?