It might have taken two years of false and frustrating rumors, but it appears the eagerly anticipated move of Fabio Borini to Sunderland on a permanent basis is finally realized.
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Sunderland have been keen to add to their attacking options following the departure of Connor Wickham to Crystal Palace for a hefty sum of around £7.75m and the Italian cult hero more than fits the bill in the eyes of many a Sunderland fan. Borini initially joined Sunderland on loan in the Summer of 2013, where he made a name for himself on Wearside almost immediately after coming off the bench in the Tyne-Wear derby to net a sensational winner from outside the box.
The Italian then seemed to make a habit out of scoring at the most crucial and dramatic of times. Borini also gave Sunderland the lead at Wembley when he slipped through the clutches of Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis to ease the ball past then-City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.
The Bentivoglio-born striker was also renowned during the 2013/14 season for his composure from the spot, having scored three of his seven league goals from the consequences of penalties conceded against Sunderland.
The most notable of these being the winner Fabio Borini netted at Stamford Bridge, to see the Black Cats triumph 2-1 over Chelsea — tainting Mourinho’s 100% home record.
A four-and-a-half year deal has reportedly been agreed between the Italian and his new (well, technically, old) club — suggesting Fabio has committed his future to Sunderland, despite the fact he appeared to be reluctant to do so in the previous summer transfer market.
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But the return of such a familiar face is likely to lift morale in the red-and-white camp as they continue on their search for a first league win of the season – which, funnily enough, Borini was responsible for earning last season.
For a while, it seemed as if the Italian was heading back to his native country, with alleged interest from Napoli, Fiorentina and Lazio all floating around; but it’s now apparent that the front man wants to continue his career in England’s top flight instead.
Should Fabio Borini replicate the success he had back in the 2013/14 season, it would sharply stop the rot on the disappointing spell at Liverpool that saw him score a measly 2 in 25 appearances for the Reds, all the while being told by manager Brendan Rodgers that he has no forseeable future at Anfield.
But that’s in the past now, Sunderland is his present, and hopefully his future is bright in red-and-white.
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