Fabio Borini Retires at 35: Former Liverpool, Chelsea, Milan and Sunderland Striker Bids Emotional Farewell to Football

FolioPitch.com – 07 October 2026 | Former Italy international striker Fabio Borini has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35, bringing an end to a nomadic career that saw him represent some of Europe’s biggest clubs. The news confirms that Borini ex-Italy Liverpool Chelsea Milan Roma and Sunderland striker retires at 35, a headline that resonates with fans across England and Italy who followed his journey from promising teenager to seasoned journeyman.

Borini, who was once regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Italian football, took to social media to share an emotional message reflecting on a career that began with a tearful flight to London as a 16-year-old and ended with a stint at League Two side Salford City. His contract had expired on June 30, and rather than seek another club, the forward decided to hang up his boots for good.

From Bologna to Chelsea: The Making of a Prodigy

A product of the Bologna youth academy, Borini was poached by Chelsea in 2007, a move that took him to England before he had even turned professional in Italy. He spent time on loan at Swansea City, where he scored 12 goals in 20 appearances, helping the Welsh club gain promotion to the Premier League. Despite his potential, he never made a competitive first-team appearance for Chelsea, and in 2011 he returned to Italy with Parma, who immediately loaned him to Roma.

It was at Roma that Borini’s career truly took off. Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, he scored 10 goals in 26 appearances during the 2011-12 season, earning a €13.3 million move to Liverpool in the summer of 2012. That same year, he earned his one and only senior cap for Italy, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against the United States.

Liverpool and Sunderland: Premier League Highlights

Borini’s time at Liverpool was mixed. He struggled with injuries and competition for places, but he did score some important goals, including a memorable strike in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City. In 2013, he was loaned to Sunderland, where he became a fan favourite. His goals helped the Black Cats reach the 2014 League Cup final and avoid relegation. He returned to Liverpool for the 2014-15 season but found opportunities limited, and in 2015 he made a permanent move to Sunderland.

At Sunderland, Borini spent three seasons, making over 90 appearances and scoring 17 goals. He experienced relegation from the Premier League in 2017 but remained with the club in the Championship before moving to AC Milan in 2017 on a loan deal that was made permanent in 2018. At Milan, he added a Serie A goal against Bologna in May 2019, but his time at the San Siro was largely underwhelming.

A Journey Through Turkey, Italy and England’s Lower Leagues

After Milan, Borini had spells at Hellas Verona and Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey. In 2021, he returned to Italy with Sampdoria in Serie B, where he scored 10 goals in 34 appearances. His final chapter came with Salford City in England’s League Two, where he scored a goal in an FA Cup second-round match against Leyton Orient in December 2025. That moment, captured in a photograph, was a fitting end to a career that had come full circle.

The confirmation that Borini ex-Italy Liverpool Chelsea Milan Roma and Sunderland striker retires at 35 marks the end of an era for a player who never quite fulfilled the enormous potential he showed as a teenager. Yet his career was far from a failure. He played for some of the most storied clubs in Europe, won trophies, and represented his country. His journey is a reminder that talent alone is not enough; luck, timing, and injuries all play a part.

An Emotional Farewell

In his retirement message, Borini paid special tribute to Chelsea, the club where it all began. “It all started with a flight. Thank you Chelsea. I was 16 years old. A flight I spent entirely with tears in my eyes, beginning the journey of my career with no real destination, other than the dreams I wanted to achieve,” he wrote. He spoke of the fear, happiness, courage, uncertainty, dreams, success, passion, and sacrifice that defined his career, and thanked the kid who never stopped believing.

Borini’s retirement also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of football careers. The same emotions he felt on that flight to London are the ones he feels now as he embarks on a new chapter without a ball at his feet. The announcement that Borini ex-Italy Liverpool Chelsea Milan Roma and Sunderland striker retires at 35 has prompted an outpouring of support from fans and former teammates, many of whom remember his infectious energy and professionalism.

Conclusion

Fabio Borini’s retirement at 35 closes a chapter on a career that promised so much and delivered moments of genuine quality. While he may not have reached the heights predicted for him as a teenager, he leaves the game with a wealth of experience and memories that most players can only dream of. As he embarks on life after football, the football world wishes him well. The phrase Borini ex-Italy Liverpool Chelsea Milan Roma and Sunderland striker retires at 35 will be remembered as the final line in a story of ambition, resilience, and the beautiful game.