New Sunderland striker Fabio Borini has stated that the presence of manager Paolo Di Canio was a key element in his decision to join the Black Cats.
The 22-year-old Italian joined Sunderland on loan from Liverpool this summer and is currently one of four Italian players in Di Canio’s squad along with goalkeeper Vito Mannone, defender Andrea Dossena and winger Emanuele Giaccherini.
The former Chelsea and Roma player praised his new manager and stated that the large Italian presence at the side helped him in making his decision to join the club.
“Di Canio has been essential in my choice because I needed to feel secure and in this environment, with an Italian staff, it will help me to adapt,” Borini told BBC Newcastle.
“My performances so far? I have been influenced by injuries, it has nothing to do with my attitude in training.
“I have not talked with (Liverpool boss) Brendan Rodgers about the future, because I don’t want to look too far given that football can change quickly.
“The only thing that matters now is to play as much as possible with Sunderland and achieve my goals.”
The Italian youth international joined Liverpool in 2012 for a transfer fee of €13.3 million from Roma and scored one goal in 13 Premier League appearances last season.
