22 hours ago
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Former Liverpool and Premier League star Fabio Borini has disclosed that he purchased former Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward's residence at a bargain price.
The Italian forward, who flopped at Liverpool following a high-profile move from Roma more than a decade ago, exploited troubling incidents to reduce the asking price of the property, previously worth approximately £2 million ($2.6 million).
Borini secured the purchase four years ago following Woodward being targeted by a group of supporters who were unhappy with his management of the Red Devils. A smoke bomb and fireworks were detonated at the residence in 2020 during chaotic scenes.
The crowd also pressed an intercom at the large gates leading to the property before daubing it with red paint in disturbing footage. Woodward, his spouse, and their young twins were absent when lit flares were hurled onto the grounds.
When the former United chief executive was prepared to sell, Borini was delighted to take advantage of other potential buyers' apprehensions.
The striker, who was plying his trade with Turkish club Fatih Karagumruk in 2021, can now enjoy the property with his wife Erin and his two young children, Stella and Lando.
Borini said: "We bought the house four years ago, actually from the former CEO of Man United, Woodward.
"Because of the protests outside, everybody was worried, so I said, 'Don't worry, I'll buy it, get the price down!'"
The Cheshire residence has proved invaluable, with Borini now turning out for Salford City in League Two. The 34-year-old previously spent two seasons with Sampdoria in Serie B but managed only 11 outings last campaign after netting nine times in 23 matches during his debut term.
Borini was delighted to buy into Salford's vision and offer his own contribution to the squad. Summer discussions led to him putting pen to paper earlier this month.
He told The Times: "I spoke with Alex over the summer about the possibility and said I'm open to the opportunity of coming to Salford even if it was League Two.
"They said, 'Yes, you come and train, give a little bit to the group, be around the guys and help us, in a way, to understand if we're doing the right things or the wrong things and you get fit'.
"It doesn't really matter the league or context, it's about football. Salford is being built to be a proper football club.
"It's not like they're throwing money around for no reason, it's football people running a football club."
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