David Beckham signs another former Liverpool star in shock move outside of transfer window

Former Liverpool player Fabio Borini has explained his decision to join Salford City - the EFL League Two side co-owned by Manchester United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville.

David Beckham might be a Manchester United legend, but that hasn't stopped him from having a strong Liverpool influence at both clubs he co-owns - after signing another player with strong connections to his old club's bitter rivals. The former England international is the president and co-owner of Inter Miami, while he is also a co-owner of League Two side Salford City.

The MLS outfit appointed former Reds star Javier Mascherano as their new head coach in November 2024, with the Argentine having already led The Herons to secure their place in the end-of-season play-offs.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool favourite Luis Suarez is one of Inter Miami's star players, with the Uruguayan returning 17 goals and 16 assists in all competitions so far this season.

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But that Reds connection is not limited to Inter Miami with there also being a strong former Liverpool contingent at Salford - despite its connections to United through Beckham and fellow co-owner Gary Neville.

Former Reds' youth coach Karl Robinson is the current Salford head coach, having been appointed back in January 2024, while the Ammies signed former Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn at the start of last season.

Previously, the Reds' youngest ever goal-scorer, before Rio Ngumoha's winner against Newcastle United back in August, the versatile Wales international boasts five goals and nine assists from 50 appearances since joining the club.

But Woodburn has now been joined by another former Liverpool player in the Salford ranks after the League Two outfit completed the shock signing of Fabio Borini on Friday.

The former Italy international has joined Salford on a short-term deal, having impressed in training with the club's first-team over the past month. He had been a free agent since leaving Sampdoria in the summer.

Previously on the books of the likes of Chelsea, AS Roma and AC Milan, as well as Liverpool, many were surprised to see Borini sign for the League Two side.

But the forward, who was named on the bench against Oldham Athletic on Saturday lunchtime, has explained his decision to join the club.

"It's been great. I came in to train to keep myself fit in this transition between contracts," he told club media. "And Salford, the gaffer, Alex Bruce were kind enough to allow me to use the facilities and train here.

"Experience is one thing that I can bring, but it's not just about the experience that I have on the pitch. It's outside of the pitch so leading by example in training, outside training, how to manage a game.

"I've never played League Two football, so I need to learn as well from my team-mates the main characteristics of this league, but I will bring myself as an open book for my team mates to use me, learn from me or help me, so I'm very open to this challenge.

"It's a challenge I'm embracing and I chose to embrace because I needed the real football, something that warms my heart for football, not for anything else."

Borini, who used to partner Suarez in attack for Liverpool, joined the Reds in a £10.5m deal from Roma back in July 2012.

He scored on his home debut for the club against Gomel in the Europa League, but ultimately struggled to make an impact at Anfield.

The 34-year-old returned three goals and three assists from 38 appearances overall for the club and was sold to Sunderland in a £10m deal in August 2014 - having previously spent the 2013/14 season on loan at the Black Cats after finding himself out of favour at Anfield following the signings of Daniel Sturridge and Iago Aspas.

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