Soccer:Striker Fabio Borini has become Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers' first signing as Liverpool manager after finalising a long-term deal at Anfield. The 21-year-old Italy international moved from AS Roma after he passed a medical and agreed personal terms at the club's Melwood training ground today.

Borini moves to Anfield for understsood to be in the region of €10 million.

He will be reunited with Rodgers, with whom he worked in the Chelsea youth set up, for a second time having spent a short spell on loan at Swansea in the 2010/11 season.

The young forward, who scored six goals in nine matches for the Swans, is pleased to be back in the country and hopes he can help fire the club back into the Champions League.

“I felt really good because I wanted to come back to England one day. I knew sooner or later I would be back,” he said. “Being back with Liverpool is even better because I can show the people what I can do — we’ve got the Europa League and lots of things to play for.

“I hope to achieve the maximum I can, by scoring goals, getting into the Champions League and all of the things the club also wants — and all the other players. It’s a top club that has won a lot of trophies in the past — and will do so in the future we hope as well.”

Borini believes he will find it easy to fit in at Anfield as he is well aware what Rodgers expects and how he wants to play. The fact the Reds boss made him his first signing since taking over from Kenny Dalglish last month also means a lot to the Italian.

“I’ve got the trust of the manager and the club, which for me is very nice and I’m proud to be here,” he told liverpoolfc.com. “He was very important. I wouldn’t say it was the key, but most of it came from him. Even during last season, I spoke with him a lot. I’d text him and ask if he was okay and congratulated him on the results he got with Swansea.

“First of all it is a relationship of friendship and afterwards it is a working one. That is more important than anything. I used to play 4-3-3 with him and he is very good to play football for. It is great to play football for him because you can have fun and you can get results.

“I could see at Swansea the people loved him because the football was attractive. People like to see football (played) like this.”

Borini only moved back to his homeland last summer as, when his contract at Stamford Bridge expired, he joined Parma who paid a small fee in compensation. He was immediately loaned out to Roma where he scored nine times in 24 matches and, after they bought half of his rights in January, the Serie A club secured full ownership, at a total cost of around €7 million, last month.

Borini’s form earned him a place in Italy’s Euro 2012 squad but he remained on the bench throughout his country’s run to the final, where they were beaten by Spain.

Rodgers outlined the reasons why he was so keen to bring Borini to Anfield.

“Fabio fits the model of what we’re trying to do in building not only for now, but also for the future,” he said. “He’s a big talent, 21 years of age, he scores goals, and his passion, focus and concentration is a very important part of his game — and a big part of what you want from a player.

“I think the supporters will love him. He’s a multi-functional player who can play in a number of positions and someone I believe has got great growth. I’d anticipate that over the next two or three years he’ll really progress and I’m sure do very well for Liverpool.

“He is arguably the best physical player I’ve worked with in terms of his pace, power and fitness. Mentally, he’s very strong. We’ve got a player who is on the up and someone who I think Liverpool will benefit from.”

Borini will be expected to play a prominent role in the coming season, and while Rodgers has high hopes for the 21-year-old he is keen not to have unrealistic expectations.

“I don’t want to put any unnecessary pressure on him. I believe he’s one who can impact now — and he still has a lot of learning, growth and a lot to achieve in the game,” added the Northern Irishman. “To leave a club like Roma having done very well for them shows the pull we have as a football club.”

There was mixed news for Reds fans today, however, with confirmation of Maxi Rodriguez's return to Argentina and his former club Newell's Old Boys.

The 31-year-old midfielder arrived at Anfield from Atletico Madrid in January 2010 and made 73 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals. It was expected that he would be on the move this summer. Rodgers had expressed a desire to keep him on Merseyside, but was always aware that a return to Argentina would appeal to the winger.

"Liverpool Football Club can today confirm that Maxi Rodriguez has joined Newell's Old Boys in Argentina," read a statement released on the club's official website. "Everyone at Liverpool FC would like to thank Maxi for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future."

The player himself penned an open letter to Liverpool fans.

It read: "Before signing for LFC, I just saw the club as one of the greatest institutions in football. After my time here I can confirm that this is not just a great club but also a great family.

"I have tried to give everything every day that I was wearing the LFC crest. It has been a great honour to defend this shirt during two and a half years. I am returning home with a suitcase full of great memories, good friends within the team and also within this great family that works every day in the club. Thanks a lot for your support. You can NOT imagine what a great honour it was for me when the Kop sang, 'Maxi, Maxi Rodríguez runs down the wing for me da da da da dada...'

"Hasta la vista."