After failing to make an impression at several teams, Fabbrini’s formerly bright career trajectory fell apart, which resulted in a downturn in his footballing career.
Even though Fabbrini was formerly referred to as the “Italian Kaka,” he had consistency issues and didn’t play to his full ability in the professional game.
Once a promising talent in Serie A, the Italian midfielder eventually bounced around lower levels before leaving the professional football game due to failures and disappointments.
Diego Fabbrini has become less and less of a player in football, moving from the Champions League to Serie
In 2012, thirty years on from Italy’s 1982 World Cup victory, the Azzurri took to the field in Bern and marked the anniversary of the nation’s 3-1 triumph over West Germany, with a friendly against Roy Hodgson’s England. With time running out and his side trailing 2-1, Fabbrini, then one of Serie A’s most exciting upcoming talents and an established Udinese starter, appeared off the bench to make his international debut.
Fabbrini’s initial trip to Italy seemed to be the first of many at the time. The national press had dubbed the offensive midfielder at Empoli, who had made an incredible breakthrough during his teenage years, the “Italian Kaka.” Ten years ago, Fabbrini was considered Italy’s next big thing, with a bright future ahead of him. But he would not be able to follow in the footsteps of the Brazilian Ballond’ Or winner, and in 2013 he moved to Championship side Watford after a dismal season-long loan spell at Palermo.
The moment Fabbrini set foot on English soil was underwhelming. The adaptable attacker had been Serie A’s most sought-after prospect just two years prior. He was completely undiscovered and had no ceiling in sight. He was constantly mentioned in transfer rumors and was connected to both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, two Premier League teams.
Yet in no time at all, the excitement surrounding the Italian international had vanished. There was to be no big money move for Fabbrini, no media circus and no celebrations upon his arrival. He joined as part of a mass influx from Udinese, Watford’s sister club, as the Pozzo group reshuffled their players to target promotion from the second tier.
Fabbrini missed his opportunity to turn around his stagnating career at Watford, where he was 22 years old. The attacker was sent out on many loan periods in an attempt to regain form after failing to break into the starting lineup. After a brief spell at Italian team Sienna, a two-month contract at Millwall followed. At a crossroads in his career, the attacker signed an emergency loan agreement with Birmingham City, where he immediately made an impact and started the team’s derby-day victory against Wolves in 2015.
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