'It's about playing football': how Borini landed at Salford

Former Liverpool forward on buying Ed Woodward's house, his padel business and how his coach is like Ancelotti

- Will Unwin

Fabio Borini's house witnessed a major disagreement over football but it was not related to his recent move to Salford City.

The forward bought the property from the former Manchester United executive vice-chair Ed Woodward, who had fans at the gates showing their displeasure during his time at Old Trafford. "Because of the protest outside, everybody was worried, so I said: 'Don't worry I'll buy it, get the price down,'" Borini jokes.

The former Italy international has a business mind and knows a good deal when it comes along. Joining Salford, however, was certainly not about the money. Following his departure from Sampdoria, where he endured a difficult final season after being ostracised, Borini wanted to play for the love of the game. He returned to his wife Erin's native northwest, where they had their Cheshire home, and searched for work.

After time at a Professional Footballers' Association training camp for unemployed players, Borini was allowed to train at Salford to stay in shape and a month later, on 17 October, he signed until January after an injury to one of the strikers. "I said to the club: 'Do what you can. I'm not going to negotiate over a contract and a few hundred a year or day. It's about playing football, it's about you giving me the opportunity and me giving you the same opportunity to get promoted."

The 34-year-old has played for Chelsea, Liverpool and Milan and was an unused substitute in the 2012 European Championship final, but he was the one chasing Salford, aware of their enhanced status thanks to their co-owners Gary Neville and David Beckham. Others with his reputation and CV might have waited for the calls to come.